Paris Olympics bomb alert as Stade de France area put on lockdown

A bomb alert has halted the Paris Olympics after police reportedly discovered a suspicious object this evening (August 2).

A specialist bomb squad is expected to arrive at the Stade de France stadium while police have cordoned off part of the surrounding area, Bild reports. The nearby Porte de Paris train station has also been closed following the alert.

The stadium is thought to have been empty when the warning was issued this afternoon. The first Olympic session of the day had already concluded at 1pm. The second event is not due to start until around 6pm, where the arena is expected to host over 80,000 people.

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The Olympic games in Paris commenced on Saturday last week, with a host of events being held at France's national arena in northern Paris. This year, a "huge" security operation was launched ahead of the games, thought to be the largest in Olympics in history. Brigadier General Eric Chasboeuf, the military's second in command in Paris, previously told how: "It's a huge operation."

"I've never seen such a level of security in France. Whatever happens we will be ready. France is organising the biggest sporting contest in the world. Tensions are rising everywhere, so it's not just terrorism we have to take into account."

"Keeping the public safe from all threats is our main objective and for a soldier there is no more important mission."