The Ministry of Armed Forces in France is referring to the arrival of foreign soldiers, including Polish troops, as reinforcements rather than as an international coalition for enhancing security during the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris this summer. With less than four months left until the start of the Paris Olympics on July 26, security is becoming a major concern. Following the recent terrorist attack in Moscow where 143 people died in a concert hall, the French government raised the security level to its highest, “attack emergency” level under the Vigipirate plan.
To ensure maximum security during the Olympics (July 26 – August 11) and Paralympics (August 28 – September 8), foreign soldiers will be joining the 18,000 French military personnel who will be mobilized during the event. However, these soldiers will only serve as reinforcements, particularly in canine units. The Ministry has denied reports of an international coalition, as stated by Libération and verified by BFMTV.
Various foreign nations will be assisting in critical areas, such as canine capabilities, where there is a significant need during the Olympics, the Ministry announced. This is a common practice, as French gendarmes had also helped secure sites during the World Cup in Qatar.
Among the foreign soldiers expected in Paris this summer, Polish troops will be present. The Polish Defense Minister announced on Thursday that their country would send military reinforcements to aid in securing the Olympic Games in Paris, without specifying the number of soldiers. “An operational force made up of our soldiers, including sniffer dogs, will be deployed in Paris. Its main objective will be to conduct explosive detection and counterterrorism operations,” stated Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz on the social media platform X.
