Paris 2024 organisers warned security and transport a risk by top French auditors

PARIS : Organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympics need to better anticipate and finalise their security cover during the Games, France's top audit body said on Tuesday, warning that the opening ceremony on the River Seine posed a particular challenge.

In a report presented to the French parliament, the Court of Auditors made 15 recommendations to the organising committee, highlighting concerns around a reliance on private security operators to protect the games and risks over transport links.

Pierre Moscovici, the first president of the Court of Auditors, called the security of Paris 2024 a 'major challenge', and said internal security forces such as the police and army needed to be incorporated and financed.

"We're asking that the global security plan is finalised in the first trimester of 2023 so the reinforcement by internal security forces can be planned. We also recommend that the transport plan be finalised site by site," said Moscovici, a former French finance minister and European Commissioner for Economic and Financial affairs.

"It's doable but what the Court wants to say is that it is time resolutely to get into the operational phase. It's not too late but it's tense."

The 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26-Aug. 11 and the Paralympics from Aug. 28-Sept. 8.

He added the opening ceremony on the Seine was another challenge, and a probable reinforcement by the internal security forces should be anticipated by the organising committee.

Organisers expect at least 600,000 to attend the Summer Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine as athletes and delegations will sail along the river to kick off the Games.

Some 160 boats will set off on July 26 from the Pont d'Austerlitz for a six-kilometre journey to the Pont d'Iena