Paris 2024: Security Fears Spark Accreditation Rejections
Dozens of accreditation applications for the 2024 Paris Olympics were rejected amid concerns about foreign interference allegedly backed by Russia and Belarus, according to a Politico report on July 21st, citing French authorities.
A total of 4,340 applications, including those from athletes, volunteers, and hired staff, were rejected for various reasons. This included applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens, as confirmed by French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin in an interview with Journal du Dimanche.
French authorities have implemented a rigorous verification system for everyone attending the event or accessing restricted areas. This measure comes in light of heightened concerns surrounding cybersecurity, disinformation, and terrorism threats associated with the Olympic Games.
Darmanin emphasised that Russia and Belarus could be potential backers of these suspicious attempts. He further revealed that nearly 1 million background checks have already been conducted.
"In addition to traditional information gathering and espionage, there's a possibility of gaining access to computer network access points to launch cyberattacks. For instance, we've rejected a significant number of individuals posing as 'journalists' to cover the Games," Darmanin said.
The 2024 Summer Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11.
Only 140 Ukrainian athletes will compete at the Paris Olympics this year, representing the smallest number in the country's history of participation in these competitions.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus will participate in the Olympics as neutral individual athletes, without the right to compete under their national colours. By the end of July, 15 Russian and 16 Belarusian citizens had confirmed their presence at the Olympics.
The Olympic team of the Republic of Moldova will be represented by 26 athletes.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
