Olympic Games organisers hope for peaceful reaction to French election

PARIS: The key risk to the Paris Games from the political uncertainty gripping France is public disturbances that could impact the already stretched security services, a former International Olympic Committee executive told AFP on Monday (Jul 1).

The far-right National Rally (RN) party of Marine Le Pen won a resounding victory in the first round of snap legislative elections on Sunday, with President Emmanuel Macron's centrists trailing in third behind a left-wing coalition.

A second round of voting takes place next Sunday, just 19 days before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

A hung parliament could lead to months of political paralysis and chaos - just as Paris is hosting the Games.

Michael Payne, former head of marketing at the IOC, told AFP the level of support politically and around France during the ongoing torch relay suggested "the Olympics themselves are not going to be caught in any political crossfire".

However, on the streets, it may be a different matter if a section of the electorate takes the results badly.

"The key risk is whether the election results lead to any form of public disturbance," Payne said.

"That might impact the security and the already stretched services".

Payne said security services would already be focusing on the potential for trouble due to two crises happening outside France which have stirred emotions across the world.

"The geopolitical lead-up to these Olympics, from the Russia-Ukraine war to the Israel/Palestine situation, makes for the most complex and sensitive international situation for more than three decades."

Payne's fellow former International Olympic Committee (IOC) marketing executive Terrence Burns agreed but said he had confidence in the security services.

"I would