Olympic Torch, Guarded by a Small Army

The Olympic torch will be protected by 100 police officers and gendarmes in a security "bubble" during its journey in France from Marseille to Paris before the opening of the Games, as indicated by the Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin.

"One hundred police officers and gendarmes will accompany" the flame throughout this journey, including GIGN, the elite unit of gendarmes, which will be "in the vicinity" at any time, Darmanin stated at a press conference.

Within this "bubble," "18 plainclothes police officers and gendarmes" will ensure the "close protection" of the torchbearer. A mobile force unit of around 100 agents, positioned in front and behind the convoy, will also be tasked with combating "all forms of public disorder," said the minister, citing possible "sit-ins." The main risk of disruption comes from "ultra-left ecological collectives," according to Gerald Darmanin, who mentioned "Saccage 2024," "Derniere Renovation," and "Les Soulevements de la Terre." He added that "at this stage, there are no inclinations from the far-right." The Olympic torch relay will begin in Marseille on May 8 and will end in Paris on the day of the Games' opening ceremony, July 26. The relay is expected to traverse "100 emblematic places," "over 400 cities," and five overseas territories. Territories are expected to pay euro150,000 (excluding taxes) to see the torch pass. The security of the route will cost the Ministry of the Interior euro1 million, Darmanin continued. For the arrival of the flame in Marseille, where 150,000 people are expected, 5,000 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized.

The torch relay will also be in Paris on July 14 and 15, reaching several iconic locations in the capital, such as the Pantheon, the Louvre Museum, and the National Assembly. It will also pass through the popular Belleville neighborhood. For this Paris route, 1,600 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized to ensure the relay. In total, 12,000 torchbearer candidates and volunteers have been carefully vetted, undergoing an administrative investigation, added Minister Darmanin. Thirteen negative opinions have been issued, 10 for judicial reasons and 3 from the intelligence services' assessment.