French Security Services Reject Over 4,000 Accreditation Applications for 2024 Paris Olympics

In response to widespread concerns about espionage and cyber attacks, French security services have denied more than 4,000 applications for accreditation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Among those rejected are around 100 journalists, technical workers, and therapists who have also had their visas declined.

Approximately one hundred applications were rejected due to fears that applicants were agents seeking accreditation under the guise of other professions. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin disclosed that these applicants posed as journalists or technical staff, with their countries of origin being Russia and Belarus.

Despite these concerns, Russian athletes have been granted accreditation for the Games and have already arrived in Paris. As part of the security measures, Paris will deploy 45,000 security personnel to ensure the safety of the Games and its unique opening ceremony along the River Seine, where athletes will float on barges past hundreds of spectators. Additionally, organizers have decided to reduce the number of spectators from an initial 600,000 to around 300,000.

Darmanin stated that nearly one million accreditation requests for the Games, which start on July 26, have been reviewed, resulting in 4,340 rejections. Some were due to connections with radical Islamic groups or suspicions of being foreign spies. Paris, a frequent host of international events, draws hundreds of thousands of foreigners each year. This year's Games will take place from July 26 to August 11. Notably, the Russian and Belarusian teams are banned from the Summer Olympics as a consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Belarus supported.

"For example, we refused many ‘journalists’ who claimed to cover the Games. On the other hand, we accepted the presence of Russians who work for the International Olympic Committee (IOC). We apply the precautionary principle," stated Darmanin.

To further ensure security during the events, Germany plans to establish temporary internal border controls with France ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although these measures have not yet been implemented, German authorities indicated that the controls will remain in place during the Paris Olympics.

As of January this year, about 70,000 applicants worldwide are eligible to apply fully online for a Schengen visa to participate in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. There are two categories of third-country nationals eligible for a digital French Schengen visa. The first category includes Olympic and Paralympic Family members whose accreditation applications are submitted to the Olympic or Paralympic Committee (OCOG). The second category comprises other official guests invited by the OCOG.

By fLEXI tEAM