![Security net over Seine](https://cdn.magzter.com/1605701739/1722031254/articles/BqNZsKj1i1722038348308/SECURITY-NET-OVER-SEINE.jpg)
On the water, perched on rooftops and operating Al-augmented cameras, French security forces mounted a colossal operation to prevent an incident ruining the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on the river Seine last night.
The figures tell only part of the story of the efforts made to protect the river parade, the first time a Summer Olympics has started outside a stadium.
About 45 000 police and paramilitary officers were on duty with 10 000 soldiers and 20 000 private security guards.
The total area that needed securing measured more than six kilometres along the Seine and contained around 300 000 ticketed spectators, as well as hundreds of thousands of residents and tourists in overlooking buildings.
A no-fly zone 150km wide around Paris was enforced an hour before the ceremony started at 7.30pm.
This grounded or diverted all aviation at one of Europe's busiest airport hubs.
"This opening ceremony is the most extraordinary thing a country can do," said Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin on Wednesday.
It comes at a time when France is on maximum alert for terror attacks.
"Security of 100% does not exist," said Frederic Pechenard, a former head of the French police force.
Denne historien er fra July 27, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 27, 2024-utgaven av The Citizen.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Boks chase NZ double](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/V35EKbrmQ1725672773789/BOKS-CHASE-NZ-DOUBLE.jpg)
Boks chase NZ double
South Africa will be attempting to wrestle back the Freedom Cup for the first time since 2009.
!['Pecco' aims to pick himself up again](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/pjx-icjyJ1725672723901/PECCO-AIMS-TO-PICK-HIMSELF-UP-AGAIN.jpg)
'Pecco' aims to pick himself up again
Francesco Bagnaia (right) has put his horror crash in Aragon behind him as the MotoGP champion attempts to reclaim top spot from Jorge Martin at this weekend's San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix.
![Kruger boosts SA medal count](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/20c0Qei_F1725672677742/KRUGER-BOOSTS-SA-MEDAL-COUNT.jpg)
Kruger boosts SA medal count
Junior athlete Simone Kruger gave the national team's medal count a boost by claiming gold in the women's F38 discus throw at the Paralympic Games in Paris last night.
![Pegula scripts a dream story](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/_YHE9YxGF1725672599727/PEGULA-SCRIPTS-A-DREAM-STORY.jpg)
Pegula scripts a dream story
Jessica Pegula scripted an astonishing comeback \"just in the nick of time\" to defeat Karolina Muchova on Thursday at the US Open and reach her first Grand Slam final, where she will take on big-hitting Aryna Sabalenka for the title.
![Hunt is very aggravated with PSL's dilly-dallying](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/Veiogz1nH1725672536870/HUNT-IS-VERY-AGGRAVATED-WITH-PSLS-DILLYDALLYING.jpg)
Hunt is very aggravated with PSL's dilly-dallying
SuperSport United head coach Gavin Hunt (below) has weighed in on the unconventional start to the new Premier Soccer League (PSL) season.
![US soccer icon hanging up her boots](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/pzk-01VOT1725672493096/US-SOCCER-ICON-HANGING-UP-HER-BOOTS.jpg)
US soccer icon hanging up her boots
Los Angeles-US soccer icon Alex Morgan (right), who inspired the Americans to two Women's World Cup football crowns, announced Thursday that she will retire after a final club match tomorrow.
![Irish seek huge upset](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/Fhpff3uJI1725672426967/IRISH-SEEK-HUGE-UPSET.jpg)
Irish seek huge upset
New Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson is hoping to engineer another huge upset against England today-eight years after his Iceland team shocked the Three Lions at Euro 2016.
![Is retiring early an option?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/AOVr1GBx31725672303704/IS-RETIRING-EARLY-AN-OPTION.jpg)
Is retiring early an option?
Early retirement can come with several serious risks.
![Banking on women](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/zad3WKNJz1725672213442/BANKING-ON-WOMEN.jpg)
Banking on women
Having an account does not equate to financial autonomy.
![Failing matric is not the end of life](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/23703/1824141/DVA0QwfTh1725672123826/FAILING-MATRIC-IS-NOT-THE-END-OF-LIFE.jpg)
Failing matric is not the end of life
In a month's time or so, the matric class of 2024 will sit for their final examinations.