German Olympic chief hopes for peaceful Paris Olympics as team named

Germany's Olympic boss Thomas Weikert has expressed hope that the Paris Games will be a peaceful event in turbulent times.

"The general conditions are very difficult. I hope it remains safe and peaceful," German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) president Weikert said on Friday at a kit event for the German team.

"I hope that there will be no incidents. But I have great confidence in the IOC [International Olympic Committee] that the Games will be organized well."

The July 26-August 11 Games take place amid an uncertain political situation in France.

France's far-right National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, has topped the first round of voting for a new parliament. The second and decisive round is set for Sunday.

Also on Friday, French police said they made several arrests in connection with terrorist threats against the Olympics.

"The threat remains extremely high," Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told broadcaster BFMTV.

France has been on its highest terrorism alert level since March ahead of the Games. A terrorist plot to target an Olympic football match was foiled by investigators in May.

Germany will have one of the largest teams in Paris. The DOSB has nominated 463 athletes, 47 of whom are on a standby list, while even more will travel.

"We still have a small number that will be added," explained Chef de Mission Olaf Tabor. The men's and women's handball teams have not yet been presented in detail, and the equestrian team are also yet to announce their starters.

The youngest German athlete is gymnast Helen Kevric, aged 16, while the oldest Olympic participant is table tennis player Timo Boll, aged 43.

"We are on the right track," said Weikert. "We were last time in ninth place in the medals table. I hope that we can get back into this position."