Olympics ring of steel: Armed guards patrol Paris streets and metal

Movie channels Music channels Sport channels

Armed guards have been spotted patrolling Paris streets, metal barriers now line the Seine and 45,000 cops have joined the mammoth security operation ahead of the Olympics with just days to go before it gets underway.

The much-anticipated Paris Olympics 2024 is set to become the most heavily protected Games ever as drones, AI surveillance and helicopters have been deployed following a surge in safety concerns for athletes, their staff, and the public.

The ring of steel operation will see security measures distributed across the entire city, instead of just at centralised venues like the London 2012 Olympics.

A huge force of some 45,000 police officers drafted in from 43 countries and 18,000 soldiers will make up the sprawling defence system – in what is considered France’s largest deployment of troops since World War II.

But alongside human efforts, several aerial units will also be involved in the ‘unprecedented’ operation, including Rafale fighter jets, AWACS surveillance flights, Reaper surveillance drones and helicopters with expert snipers on board.

Armed guards have been spotted patrolling metal barricades erected near the River Seine in Paris ahead of the start of the Olympics

Locals were seen eating at a restaurant behind perimeter fencing in Paris which is being used as the first line of defence

Cops pictured guarding metal railing lining the streets in Paris

Armed guards near the Plaza de la Bastilla, Paris. The Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games takes place on Friday July 26, along the River Seine

Some 1,700 members of the British police force are already supporting French officers in Paris and Marseille as well as UK sniffer dogs that have been handpicked by French authorities.

French President Emmanuel Macron has assured fans that ‘there are Plan Bs and Plan Cs’ in place should anything happen.

More than half a million Paris Olympics tickets still unsold despite being cheaper than London 2012

His sentiment was backed by Paris 2024’s president Tony Estanguet, who acknowledged ‘there’s a balance to be found between perfect security’ and ensuring the Games remain enjoyable for viewers and competitors.

However, he said at a press conference on Sunday: ‘The base is how we can guarantee the security for the spectators and for the athletes.

‘That’s why there is an unprecedented system of security in our country in Paris, particularly to make sure that security will be there.’

Images from Paris today show the city behind rows of metal barriers as locals and tourists dine at restaurants behind perimeter fencing near the River Seine – where the opening ceremony is set to take place on Friday.

The four-mile metal barricade was put in place by the Paris Police Prefecture and will remain throughout the Games to prevent and deter any trouble.

Dubbed the SILT, or the ‘belt of steel’ the anti-terrorism fencing is ultimately the first line of defence and were initially erected on July 18.

Anyone who wants to enter the protected area will need to scan a QR code to me it into the gated part of the city.

The four-mile long metal barricade was erected by the Paris Police Prefecture and will remain in pace throughout the duration of the Games

Police officers take security measures as preparations continue before the opening of Paris 2024 Olympics on July 22, 2024 in Paris

Some 1,700 members of the British police force are already supporting French officers in Paris and Marseille

French President Emmanuel Macron poses for a selfie with volunteers as he visits the Olympic Village, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 22, 2024, in Paris

All cars are also banned from entering certain zones around some of the event venues with solely emergency vehicles allowed through.

Squadrons of armed and uniformed police have also been spotted patrolling the streets and guarding the barricades ahead of the beginning of the games.

Brigadier General Éric Chasboeuf, the military’s second in command in Paris, told The Sun: ‘It’s a huge operation.

Israel sends secret agents to guard athletes at Paris Olympics amid anti-Semitic violence threats

‘I’ve never seen such a level of security in France. Whatever happens we will be ready’.

Along with the barriers, AI surveillance will also be used as part of the massive operation after the French parliament last year passed legislation introducing an artificial intelligence-powered security system designed to identify threats to safety.

The hi-tech systems will be used throughout the Games to monitor the sprawling crowds by running ‘intelligent and algorithm-based technology’ through the extra security cameras set up at venues.

The technology will assist police in identifying people, bag searches, and checking for any suspicious movement or behaviour.

And with the threat of terrorism so high, it is no wonder France is pulling out all the stops.

Last month, the Islamic terror group ISIS threatened to launch chilling attacks on the upcoming Paris Olympics through a terrifying poster.

French President Emmanuel Macron, second right, listens to Paris police prefect Laurent Nunez, right, with French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin as he visits the police station of the Olympic village, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 22, 2024

Dubbed the SILT, or the ‘belt of steel’ the anti-terrorism fencing is ultimately the first line of defence and were initially erected on July 18

A huge force of some 45,000 police officers drafted in from 43 countries and 18,000 soldiers will make up the sprawling defence system

Police officers control access to roads near the Seine river, ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics

The outfit posted a propaganda image depicting one of its members appearing to fly an ‘armed drone’ to attack the city’s iconic Eiffel Tower.

Alongside the haunting image, a caption read: Lone wolves’ Olympics have begun with the Will of Allah’.

The chilling threat indicated there could be attempts to carry out lone-wolf-style terror attacks across Paris amid the upcoming games.

LeBron James is unveiled as Team USA’s flagbearer for Paris Olympic opening ceremony

Following the ISIS threat, officers made a spate of arrests including a 26-year-old who was being detained for allegedly plotting ‘violent action’.

Due to the spike in threats, Israel also committed to planning their largest-ever security operation for Israeli athletes who are set to participate at this year’s Games.

Armed Shin Bet operatives are preparing to provide security for around 88 Israeli athletes and their staff but not every person will have their own bodyguard, according to Israel’s minister of culture.

Miki Zohar told The Telegraph that they had been planning the largest-ever security operation for Israeli athletes for over a year, while doubling the team’s security budget.

The move comes as threats against Jews and Israelis continue to climb at an alarming rate amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict unravelling in the Middle East.

Former Shin Bet officer, Lior Akerman, also revealed to the newspaper that the agents will be ‘equipped with weapons and technologies’ and will also benefit from the assistance of local security and police forces.

The huge security effort will begin from the moment of the athletes’ arrival in Paris, throughout every stage of the games, and to the moment they return home to Israel.

Former Shin Bet chief Yaakov Peri, echoed Akerman’s statement while confirming the Israeli secret agents were most likely already in France and carrying out checks on the grounds.

He also dubbed the operation as ‘one of the toughest security challenges’ any Israeli delegation has been faced with.

‘The threat against the team can come from anywhere. There is no doubt that there’s danger,’ Peri chillingly warned.

France is considered a ‘category 2’ country, meaning he Israeli government believes it is a ‘potential threat’ for Israelis.