French President Emmanuel Macron made wild claims that Russia is engaging in a disinformation effort to sabotage the 2024 Paris Olympics. At the opening of a new Olympic swimming facility, reporters questioned him on whether he believed Russia had attempted to influence the Games.
The French President boldly stated: “Without a doubt… Every day (Russia) is putting out stories saying that we are unable to do this or that, so (the Games) would be at risk.”
According to the French government, Russia has increased its propaganda efforts against France lately by disseminating rumors and false information on social media through fake accounts.
These activities came after President Macron adopted a more assertive stance about the conflict in Ukraine, abandoning his earlier denial that France would never send soldiers to support Kyiv.
Macro and terror threats
French officials think Russian intelligence was responsible for the Israeli Stars of David being daubed on Paris walls after the October 7 Hamas attack, in an attempt to build discord in the country.
The President announced that if the terrorist threat gets greater, there will be changes regarding the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony in July.
Presently, the ceremony, scheduled July 26, requires boats in the Seine River, with over 300,000 spectators expected to watch from the quays. Experts have cautioned that there is a high risk of a terrorist strike on this occasion.
“We will be ready… We are preparing several scenarios. If the threat were to evolve, if we considered that circumstances made it necessary, we have back-up scenarios,” President Macron stated.
Cover Photo: IG
Source: BBC