Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin has revealed the details regarding the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on the Seine in Paris, confirming that 326,000 tickets will be sold or distributed for the event.
Contrary to earlier speculation of larger attendance figures, Darmanin clarified that the reduced capacity aligns with security concerns and logistical considerations. The Floating Parade, originally envisioned to accommodate two million spectators, will now host around 600,000 individuals.
Of the total attendance, 104,000 spectators will occupy the lower terrace with paid tickets, while 222,000 individuals will access the higher stands with free tickets. Darmanin emphasized that these figures, totaling 326,000 people, will accompany the athletes during the ceremony.
In addition to ticketed attendees, an estimated 200,000 people will witness the open-air parade along the river from buildings overlooking the Seine, with an additional 50,000 expected in the capital’s fan zones.
The innovative ceremony, hosted on 180 boats traversing six kilometers along the Seine, aims to showcase the uniqueness of Paris and elevate the Olympic experience. Despite security concerns stemming from past incidents, including the Munich 1972 and Atlanta 1996 attacks, France remains confident in its organizational prowess and commitment to safety.
French security forces will screen approximately one million individuals for potential security risks, underscoring the rigorous measures in place to safeguard participants and spectators alike.
