Parisi i gatshëm për hapjen e Lojërave Olimpike

2024-07-26 18:46:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Parisi i gatshëm për hapjen e Lojërave Olimpike

Illustrative photo

Paris will open the Olympic Games tonight with a spectacular ceremony on the River Seine. Billions of dollars have been invested in the games where thousands of athletes participate amid tight security measures. As VOA correspondent Lisa Bryant reports from Paris, these are the city's first Olympics in a century, the organization of which has faced numerous obstacles, from political unrest and severe weather to threats from covid and strikes. .

This is not the Paris known to tourists and locals, with many key areas closed to the public. About 15 million visitors and more than 10,000 athletes are expected to be guests for the Olympic Games. But many Parisians have gone on holiday and ordinary tourists are staying away.

Organizers hope the event will be impressive by promising the most eco-friendly games ever. The opening ceremony on the Seine River, which will bring together athletes, political leaders and world stars, will be the first to be held outside a stadium.

"At first it seemed like a crazy and not very serious idea. But we decided that it was the right moment to implement this crazy idea and make it a reality," said the President

The deputy mayor of Paris, Lamia El Aaraje, says her city is ready.

"Paris is ready. We can't wait for the games to begin. We have been preparing for years."

But there have been many challenges. France has an interim government after legislative elections. It is not certain whether swimming competitions will be held in the Seine river, despite the investment of 1.5 billion dollars to clean it.

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo set her example last week. The increase in covid cases during cycling races has added to the fear. There are also threats of strikes.

Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers are patrolling the city's streets and rivers from the air. There have also been incidents.

The conflict in Gaza and Ukraine is also overshadowing the games. The French have mixed feelings about the Olympics.

"Some people are more concerned about what's going on politically, or in terms of their purchasing power and security. Others are enthusiastic. But in Paris, most are indifferent or irritated by the restrictions," says Blanche Leridon with the Montaigne Institute.

But not everyone thinks so.

"I am proud that the games are being held here. The Paris authorities struggled for a long time to organize them," says a Parisian.

Despite months of preparations, there is still a big unknown, how the weather will hold. The organizers hope that it will not rain during the opening ceremony./ Voa