PARIS, France: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Tuesday that Israel’s Olympic team is satisfied with the security measures in place for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The French authorities, in collaboration with international intelligence services from 180 countries, are ensuring comprehensive security for the Games, which begin on Friday amid heightened security concerns due to the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
IOC President Thomas Bach expressed full confidence in the French authorities’ ability to protect the Israeli athletes, who will be guarded around the clock. This heightened security is a direct response to the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes were killed by Palestinian militants.
In addition to the French security measures, the Israeli team will also have its own security personnel. Bach highlighted that since the Munich tragedy, Israel has consistently implemented additional security measures for its athletes.
“The Israeli athletes feel comfortable with the security situation as we know from our contact with them,” Bach stated.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Olympic Committee has called for Israel’s exclusion from the Games, citing Israel’s continued military actions in Gaza as a breach of the traditional Olympic truce. This truce is intended to last from July 19 until after the Paralympics in mid-September.
However, Bach reaffirmed the IOC’s stance on maintaining political neutrality. “The Olympic Games are a competition not between countries but between athletes,” he emphasized. “If we were to enter into political discussions regarding wars and conflicts, we might end up with only 100 National Olympic Committees at the opening ceremony instead of 206.”
The IOC’s commitment to political neutrality ensures that the focus remains on the athletes and the spirit of the Games, despite the complex geopolitical landscape.
