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Australia’s Olympic chef de mission Anna Meares has downplayed security fears as France toys with a late switch to its Paris 2024 opening ceremony plans.
As the countdown clock passed the 100 day mark, the question of holding the ceremony on the River Seine loomed large over the milestone celebrations.
Organisers have planned a parade of 10,500 athletes through the heart of the French capital on boats on the Seine along a 6km route in the opening ceremony at sunset on July 26 local time.
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But President Emmanuel Macron said the open air event could be shifted to a more conventional ceremony at the Stade de France if the security threat is deemed too high.
“Whilst security is at the forefront of our planning and it’s a major priority for us, we trust that the organising committee and the French government will do a good job in providing a safe and secure Games,” cycling legend Meares told reporters at a uniform launch at Sydney’s Clovelly Surf Life Saving Club.
“We are able to update our athletes as we get updates as well. That’s (security) definitely the first question that gets asked… it’s an enormous undertaking, isn’t it, at the Olympic Games, it’s the biggest multisport event in the world.”
France is on high security alert ahead of the Games, which will draw millions of visitors to the country.
There are unspecified contingency plans in place where organisers will adapt to any circumstances that might arise.
“We saw a great example of that with Tokyo in 2020 – the ability to be able to adapt, given any circumstance that happens,” Meares said.
“Best laid plans are always good to have but we’re adaptable and we’re prepared to move with that and that’s part of being resilient and part of being in high performance.”
The opening ceremony concept was set to a grandiose backdrop: a summer sun setting on the Seine as athletes drift by in boats and wave to cheering crowds.
But behind the romantic veneer that Paris has curated, mounting security concerns meant the number of spectators allowed to attend was slashed from 600,000 to 320,000.
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“It’s completely up to the athletes and sports around the decision as to whether they want to be a part of the opening ceremony,” Meares said.
“And that decision is largely built on based around the performance element of competition. It’s an amazing thing to be a part of… there are lots of ways that we can really encompass the team to come together around an amazing opening ceremony.”
Meanwhile, data specialist Gracenote has released its predicted medal tally and tipped Australia to finish fifth with a whopping 50 podium finishes.
But Meares, who won six Olympic medals including two gold, would not be drawn on targets or numbers.
“What I really like is our swimming head coach’s (Rohan Taylor) line on this one – ‘we’ll take as many medals as we can win.’
“Why put a limitation on it?”
