French security forces will blockade the center of Paris, on the water, on the rooftops... and use cameras enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI) during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics on July 26 to prevent incidents that could ruin the biggest sporting event on the planet.

Speaking on BFM television on July 24, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin affirmed: "This opening ceremony is the most extraordinary thing a country can do." This is the first time the Summer Olympics have opened outside a stadium.

“In the current geopolitical and terrorist context, this is a huge challenge,” Mr. Darmanin added.

Some 45,000 police and paramilitary personnel will be on duty, along with 10,000 soldiers and 20,000 private security personnel.

The total area to be secured is more than 6km along the Seine and will accommodate some 300,000 ticketed spectators, as well as hundreds of thousands of other residents and tourists watching from buildings on both banks of the river.

A 150-kilometer no-fly zone around Paris will be enforced one hour before the ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. local time (0:30 a.m. on July 27, Vietnam time).

The French military will be responsible for anti-drone operations, using the country's most sophisticated electronic warfare technology.

Drones piloted by security forces will also be important tools for monitoring suspicious activities, while AI-enhanced cameras will monitor and “scan” crowds.

Police snipers were posted at every high point along the route, scanning for possible attackers.

Meanwhile, navy ships with divers and sonar equipment searched the river for explosives or intrusion attempts.

All 85 boats taking part in the parade and others moored along the route were checked by sniffer dogs and bomb disposal experts.

Water traffic will be blocked in both directions, with numerous barriers installed and nets lowered to the riverbed if necessary.

The idea of ​​holding the opening ceremony on the Seine was initially opposed by some senior security officials and was described as “madness” by renowned French criminologist Alain Bauer. However, the original plans – for up to a million spectators on the banks of the river – were scaled back.

It all comes at a time when France is on highest alert for terrorist attacks.

France has been a frequent target of terrorist groups over the past decade, with attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine, the Bataclan concert hall and the Stade de France stadium, which will also be used for track and field athletes competing at this year's Olympics.

President Emmanuel Macron said an Islamic State (IS) affiliate in Afghanistan was planning an attack on France in March and that social media accounts linked to IS had issued frequent threats.

For his part, Mr. Darmanin said four suspects believed to be plotting an attack on the Olympics had been arrested.