Macron discusses the prospect of a withdrawal from the opening ceremony at the Stade de France

4 mins

One hundred days before the Paris Olympic Games, Emmanuel Macron tried to reassure on Monday that the opening ceremony would be held on the Seine, while outlining for the first time ” plans B and C » in the event of a terrorist threat. This opening ceremony along the capital’s river, on July 26, “ this is a first in the world. We can do it and we will do it “, the President of the Republic still did not budge in an interview on BFMTV and RMC, from the construction site of the Grand Palais in Paris, which is to host several tests.

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Previously, the Head of State had already assured that alternative scenarios were being considered. For the first time, he began to detail them. “ We will do a real-time analysis » risks, he added. Alternative options would include a ceremony “ limited to Trocadéro ”, or even “ repatriated to the Stade de France “, “ because this is what is classically done “. Until now, the executive has ruled out a withdrawal to the Stade de France, which hosts tests even before July 26.

Security perimeter very large »

Emmanuel Macron nevertheless wanted to reassure about the security system making it possible to maintain the river scenario, always privileged. “ We anticipated, we are setting up a security perimeter which will be very large, where we will screen all the people who enter and leave. “, he insisted. The size of the festival has also been reduced: the number of spectators able to attend for free has increased from 500,000 to 222,000. With those who paid for their place at the bottom of the platforms, there should be around 320,000 in total.

By launching the countdown to the opening ceremony of this global event, and while the clouds are gathering internationally, the president also tried to relaunch the diplomatic usefulness of the Games. France will “ do everything to have an Olympic truce “, he declared, promising to work on it in particular with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “ I asked him to help me », he added, confirming in passing his coming to Paris “ in a few weeks “. He is expected at the beginning of May, according to diplomatic sources.

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The UN General Assembly called in November for respect for the traditional “ Olympic Truce ” this summer. With this interview and this new site review after the inauguration of the “ athletes village » and the Olympic swimming pool, the head of state hopes to revive the fervor. An Ipsos survey published in La Tribune Sunday shows that only 53% of French people say “ interested » by the Games, eight points less than six months ago. Worse: a majority of respondents say “ worried » on France’s ability to ensure the smooth running of the Olympics.

“ Rediscover » the Grand Palace

“ France is a team, it is a united nation and therefore we are meeting this exemplary nature », replied Emmanuel Macron, ensuring that he had “ trust in unions » while some threaten a series of strikes during the Games. “ They have a spirit of responsibility, they will be by our side “, he estimated.

The President of the Republic then visited the construction site of the Grand Palais, subject to renovation since 2021, which is to host the Olympic and Paralympic fencing and taekwondo events. Delivery of the construction site to the Olympic Games organizing committee is scheduled for Friday. “ This project for the new Grand Palais, with a budget of around 500 million euros, covers the 77,000 m2 of the site, the galleries, the exteriors, the large nave, as well as the Palais de la Découverte. », Detailed the Élysée.

The complete restoration of the site, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, must be completed in the spring of 2025 for the Grand Palais, the date of its reopening to the general public, and in 2027 for the Palais de la Découverte.