French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed on Monday that French police will be on high alert in anticipation of any threats to the Olympic Torch Relay for the 2024 Olympics. Approximately 100 officers will be assigned to secure the torchbearers through a security perimeter and measures against drone flights. The Olympic torch will arrive in Marseille from Greece on May 8, with around 150,000 spectators expected to attend the planned celebration in the city before the torch's journey across French territory begins.
Darmanin stated at a press conference that the threats of "terrorism and protests" against the torch relay are significant, noting that "radical left environmental activists" or "radical Islamists" could pose potential sources of such threats. He added, "The torch relay is receiving considerable media attention, and the ministry is giving it special focus, as it could be targeted for malicious acts."
A review was carried out that included all 11,000 torchbearers and 1,000 alternates, resulting in the exclusion of 13 individuals from the torch relay. The Olympic flame will be lit on April 16 during a ceremony in Olympia, Greece, which is the birthplace of the Olympic Games.
