With just 90 days remaining until the Paris Olympics, Kenyan athletes are intensifying their training efforts, but the impending games, scheduled to commence in June, are overshadowed by a terror threat.
Kenya's sports stars, including sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala, marathon maestro Eliud Kipchoge, and the dynamic duo of Mary Moraa and Faith Kipyegon, are all setting their sights on Olympic glory. However, as they prepare on home soil, French organisers are diligently working to address any potential security vulnerabilities that could jeopardise the safety of the games.
These security concerns have resurrected memories of the 2013 Boston Marathon, where two Kenyan athletes, Rita Jeptoo and Micah Kogo, narrowly escaped with their lives. The tragic attack resulted in the loss of three lives and left 180 individuals injured.
The Olympics, held every four years and akin to a World Cup for football enthusiasts, are now facing heightened security apprehensions, particularly concerning the Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies.
With just over three months to go, France's ambitious pledge to host the most inclusive games in history has been forced to scale down an elaborate plan to make the Opening Ceremonies on the Seine River widely accessible and "free to most."
Despite Paris officials promoting the 2024 Games locally as "a wonderful party" open to the city, some residents are starting to feel reminiscent of pandemic lockdowns due to accompanying restrictions.
French officials assert that hosting such a colossal event was always going to demand a delicate balance between openness and public safety. They highlight that competitions at iconic venues across the city are proceeding, along with plans for a "marathon for all" on the same course as the athletes.
However, the threat landscape has evolved since Paris initially embraced its "Games Wide Open" slogan two years ago. Traditionally, host nations have held their ceremonies in stadiums for monitored attendance.
Yet, French organisers opted for a different approach, planning a floating ceremony on July 26, with over 10,000 athletes traversing boats along a 3.7-mile stretch of the Seine through central Paris.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin initially projected over half a million spectators, but this figure has been halved in the latest update. Now, 104,000 spots are reserved for paying fans, with 220,000 free tickets allocated to selected residents of Paris and other French towns hosting Olympic events.
Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, French Sports Minister, has pointed out the necessity to balance popularity with security and safety concerns. However, the cost implications may render the ceremonies inaccessible to many tourists and non-selected locals, with ticket prices soaring and accommodation rates skyrocketing during the Games.
French officials emphasise that despite adjustments, the opening ceremonies will remain the largest to date. Security officials' foremost priority is averting large-scale terrorist attacks akin to previous incidents in Paris and Nice.
Concerns also extend to cyberattacks and the proliferation of drones that could pose threats.
French authorities are deploying significant resources, including thousands of soldiers and police officers, to safeguard public spaces and Olympic venues. They are also employing advanced surveillance technologies and conducting stringent security screenings for residents and workers near sensitive sites.
Despite assurances from French officials, security anxieties persist, prompting consideration of alternative venues and contingency plans. Special measures are being arranged for the Israeli delegation, amid calls for their exclusion over geopolitical tensions.
Kenya authorities were in Paris this week to prepare for the rooms and accreditation for athletes but are yet to comment on the security concerns.
