France closes media centre for 2024 Paris Olympics temporarily after receiving 'explosion threat'

As the 2024 Paris Olympics continued to go on in full swing, the French police temporarily closed the areas around the media centre after receiving a bomb threat. The media centre was serving journalists who were covering the international sporting event. The authorities insisted that they had to take the measure because of an “explosion risk”.

Journalists and others had to be evacuated and the French police did not disclose the cause of the risk, TRT World reported.  The authorities eventually re-opened the area to pedestrian traffic and access to and from the media center returned to normal.

This is not the first time the French police have been rattled by a ‘bomb threat’. Earlier this week, EuroAirport, located on the French-German-Swiss border, was evacuated and multiple flights were suspended due to the same issue. The airport is located near Basel (Switzerland), Mulhouse (France), and Freiburg (Germany). It is pertinent to note that France is on high alert for security threats amid the Paris Olympics.

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The train sabotage that rocked the country

The bomb threat came just days after France’s high-speed train lines were targeted by multiple “malicious” acts including arson. The incident has been described as “an attack on France” and “coordinated sabotage” to disrupt travel ahead of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete told the LCI channel that after the arson attacks, the security and surveillance of the railway network had been significantly strengthened. The French transport minister also noted that more than 1,000 employees and 250 security personnel have been deployed to monitor the railway network. Not only this, gendarmerie helicopters and 50 drones have been mobilised.

He indicated that the officials are anticipating disruptions to train services on Sunday and investigation into the attack is currently ongoing.

Pollution becomes another problem

Amid all the chaos, Olympics organisers have cancelled the first triathlon training over Seine pollution, AFP reported. The practice had to be cancelled due to the River Seine’s poor water quality. While last-minute disruption is proving to be disastrous for the athletes participating in the event, the French authorities assured that the waters will be cleared soon.

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The river was expected to be used for the swimming portion of the triathlon event. The men’s and women’s events are due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the mixed relay event following on Monday, Aug 5, but heavy rainfall has a negative impact on pollution levels in the river.

Last summer was the wettest in Paris in the last 20 years, with the water quality falling below the level required by public health authorities and World Aquatics to protect the swimmers’ health.

With inputs from agencies.