IOC Has 'Full Confidence' in French Authorities for Paris Olympics as Security Risks Grow.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has expressed confidence in the French authorities' ability to ensure the security of the Paris 2024 Games, despite growing global protests over the Israel-Hamas conflict. The protests, which have spread to US and French universities, have raised concerns about potential security risks. The IOC President, Thomas Bach, stated that security has been a major consideration for the Olympics since the 1972 Games in Munich, where 11 Israeli athletes were killed. Bach also mentioned that the IOC is in contact with both the Israeli and Palestinian Olympic committees, as the participation of Israeli athletes may face protests. Additionally, Bach reiterated the IOC's stance on Russian athletes, stating that only individual athletes can participate as neutral competitors, and they will be assessed for eligibility. The success of the Paris 2024 Games is crucial for the IOC, as it aims to introduce a more streamlined and sustainable bidding process. Paris plans to host an opening ceremony along the River Seine, which is seen as a risky but potentially spectacular move. The Games have also prompted efforts to clean up the river for distance-swimming events and the triathlon. [Extracted from the article]