The head of the Paris Olympics boldly declared that France’s capital would be “the safest place in the world” when the Games open. Tony Estanguet’s confident forecast, delivered a year ago, looks less far-fetched ahead of the opening ceremony Friday. Squadrons of police are patrolling Paris streets and fighter jets and soldiers are ready to scramble. An imposing metal-fenced security cordon has been erected like an iron curtain on both sides of the River Seine that will star in the opening show. France’s vast police and military operation is largely because the July 26-Aug. 11 Games face unprecedented challenges. The city has repeatedly suffered bloody extremist attacks and international tensions are high because of the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Soldiers patrol on a footbridge over the Seine River, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
A cyclist argues with police officers near Le Louvre museum at the security perimeter set up for the Olympic Games, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Soldiers demonstrate operational techniques for close combat in a training class at a military camp set up for the Paris Olympic Games, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Vincennes, just outside Paris, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
A woman speaks to a police officer at the security perimeter set up for the Olympic Games, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Soldiers leave for a patrol at the military camp set up in the Vincennes woods, Monday, July 15, 2024, just outside Paris. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
An area normally bustling with tourists stands empty as a pedestrian passes through a restricted security perimeter in front of the Louvre museum ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 19, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Police check the public for credentials to enter a security perimeter near the Eiffel Tower ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Mounted police officers patrol inside the security perimeter set up for the Olympic Games, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
A security officer watches people taken photographs in front of the Eiffel Tower at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
A pigeon walks in an empty street Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
A soldier launches a drone over the Seine River, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Police officers check people at the security perimeter set up for the Olympic Games, outside Notre Dame cathedral, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
A soldier patrols on the Seine River, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Severine Hiver, right, gets help from Officer Romane Rouseel to carry her daughter, Sacha, 2, down a staircase in her stroller while navigating around a security area closed off for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Police officers check authorizations at a checkpoint Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
A soldier patrols on a footbridge over the Seine River, Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
A police officer walks past a Paris Olympics canvas at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)
Police officers guide pedestrians to other areas at a security checkpoint near the statue of Joan of Arc, background, Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
