Thomas Bach, the International Olympic Committee president, has expressed “full confidence” in the French police despite thousands of spectators being delayed by arson attacks on train networks only hours before the commencement of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A number of high-speed rail lines in Paris have been severely damaged by fires, and an estimated 800,000 passengers affected. The rail company SNCF reported the attack “aimed at paralyzing the network”. Additionally, Eurostar has cancelled several services and recommended customers not travel.
However, IOC president Bach declared that he does not have any concerns, given his confidence in French authorities. He said: “All the measures are being taken. The French authorities are assisted by 180 other intelligence services around the world… We have good reason to have full confidence.”
The extent of the damage
The SNCF reported that the arson attacks damaged signal boxes, impacting lines connecting Paris to cities in the north, east, and southwest of the nation. They announced that there will be more inconveniences over the weekend.
Eurostar, which operates trains from London to Paris, advised people not to travel.
The executive director of the Olympic Games, Christophe Dubi, said that there has been a quick response from the organizers. He stated: “The organizers, including authorities and SNCF, have to prepare for different scenarios… What I see here is a quick reaction and that gives me a lot of confidence…I have to feel for all those impacted by these delays, but I have confidence that organizers are really well prepared for any situation and this is definitely one.”
Moreover, the organizers said: “Paris 2024 has taken note of incidents affecting the Atlantic, North and East lines of the SNCF rail network… We are working closely with our partner, the rail operator SNCF, to assess the situation.”
The incidents are now subjects of a criminal investigation by the prosecutor’s office in Paris.
Source: BBC