Securing the Paris Olympics: Balancing Safety and Freedom

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe discusses the security challenges for the Paris 2024 Olympics, drawing parallels to the London 2012 Games. Coe emphasizes the need to balance safety with the freedoms and welcoming spirit of the Games. He also touches on Ukraine's and other athletes' participation amid global tensions.

Having faced substantial security challenges during the London 2012 Olympics, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe expressed confidence in the Paris 2024 Games' organizers achieving the right balance between freedom and safety.

Coe, who oversaw a London Games fraught with security risks, highlighted that no modern Olympics have been without security concerns. He is confident that all necessary measures will be in place for Paris, despite the added complexity of the current global climate. "The best way to discuss security is actually never to discuss it," Coe stated, affirming that all relevant agencies would be addressing the security concerns.

Reflecting on the broader situation, Coe expressed hope that Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy would attend the athletics events, underscoring the firm exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes from Paris. This stance, Coe explained, was about maintaining integrity and fairness for Ukrainian athletes who are operating under trying conditions.