Macron reveals alternative plans for the Olympic opening ceremony

The French President unveiled this Monday alternative plans for the Olympic opening ceremony, such as limiting its space or holding it at the Stade de France, showing that he is convinced that he can hold it on the Seine, despite the terrorist threat.

Although Emmanuel Macron previously insisted that he had several options for holding the inauguration ceremony, this is the first time he has mentioned alternative scenarios.

“The ceremony we are planning is a world premiere. We have to hold it, and we will hold it. (…) But we have a plan B and a plan C, and we are preparing them in parallel,” he said in a message. interview with BFMTV television.

Macron named two hypotheses: holding the ceremony in the Trocadéro gardens, which according to the original plan was to be the final point of the delegations’ parade along the Seine, or holding it at the Stadium de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. , where athletics competitions will be held.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for July 26, will be the first ceremony held outside the stadium.

Some 10,500 athletes will parade through the heart of the French capital in boats along the Seine River along a six-kilometer (3.7-mile) route.

Macron admits that to limit security risks, organizers may decide to shorten the parade route or move it to the Stadium de France, making it a more traditional event.

The organization had originally planned an opening ceremony for up to 600,000 people, most of whom would watch for free on the banks of the Seine River.

However, security and logistical concerns forced the French government to gradually scale back its ambitions. At the beginning of this year, total viewership had dropped to about 300,000.

The French government also decided that tourists would not have free access to watch the opening ceremony for security reasons. Free access will be for guests only.

The Olympic Games will take place from July 26 to August 11.