PARIS, France: Some 2,000 foreign troops and police will be dispatched to Paris to strengthen security for this summer’s Paris Olympic Games as France remains on high alert following attack threats.
The French armed forces minister said Friday: “We have something like 2,000 foreign police officers, gendarmes and troops who will be joining the protection system for the Olympic Games.” Sebastien Lecornu was talking to all-news television station LCI.
France, which will host the games from July 26 to August 11, raised its security alert to the highest level after an attack at a Moscow concert hall on March 22 left at least 144 dead. The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for the massacre.
The minister said the reinforcements would provide “specific functions” in short supply, including dog handlers, horse riders and mounted patrols.
In late March, Poland said it would supply troops with an emphasis on sniffer dogs for bomb detection and counter-terrorism operations. It did not specify the number of soldiers.
Almost 45,000 police and gendarmes will be mobilized in the Paris region for the opening ceremony on July 26, which, in a break with tradition, will be held along the Seine River instead of the main stadium.
During the games, 18,000 French military troops will be deployed, including 3,000 responsible for aerial surveillance – in addition to about 35,000 police and gendarmes.
