NOC assures safety at Paris 2024 amid terrorists’ threat

The Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC) has assured the country’s athletes and officials preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games of safety at the games despite recent concerns in France.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will hold in Paris from July 26 to August 11. France has witnessed terror attacks in recent time, with the latest being the attacks on the streets of Central Paris, leaving a German dead and two others, including a Briton, injured in a knife and hammer attacks.

Reports said a 26-year-old French man, a member of the Islamic State (IS) Group, was later arrested, and anti-terrorism prosecutors opened an investigation.

NOC Spokesman, Tony Nezianya, told The Guardian yesterday, that the committee is currently working with various security agencies and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to sort out security issues ahead of the 2024 Games.

He said the latest attack in Paris should not create panic among Nigerian athletes, stressing that the relevant authorities are studying the situation.

“The recent terror attack in Paris has been handled professionally and I believe the organisers of the Olympics have adopted measures to ensure the safety of athletes during the Games.

“Nigeria does not have any issue with any country and is not backing any country in any war or terror issues. I also believe there is a UN Treaty on the protection of athletes during international sporting engagements; so, there is no cause for alarm.

“However, we will inform stakeholders in the Olympics if any matter arises because we are watching events in France,” he said. Since the attack at the weekend, athletes and their officials across the world have raised concerns over the security situation in France with the Olympics barely six months