Paris residents fined at lightning speed for breaking new Olympics-specific law

Paris has slapped 400 individuals with fines for misusing a new traffic lane system designed to whisk athletes between venues at the Olympic Games in record time.

Launched on July 15, this initiative is part of the organizers' pledge to create a "City of 15 Minutes" during the summer's grand event. The introduction of exclusive Olympic lanes on four major highways around the French capital aims to streamline transport until the end of the Paralympic Games, which will wrap up in September.

With the tally of fines hitting triple digits within just two days, offenders are being hit with a $147 fee, adhering to the policies set by the French Prefecture. The goal is to significantly ease traffic flow in Paris throughout the summer, benefiting athletes, Games staff, emergency services, and media personnel.

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If all goes according to plan, these designated lanes should enable swift 20-minute journeys from the Olympic Village in Saint-Denis to any game venue, fulfilling a promise made in Paris' original 2015 Olympic bid.

This update follows on from a series of promises made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who aim to make this year's games the most sustainable yet, both for the host city and in terms of environmental impact, reports the Express US .

In prior comments, Tania Braga, the leader of the IOC's legacy department, addressed the United Nations stating: "We have built a series of recommendations and requirements to help each organizer, host city, or region to adapt to challenges. We have a saying that guides everything we do: The host city or region doesn't need to change to receive the Games, but the Games should adapt to the host city or region."

"We have some requirements, including certification for sustainability management and 50-per-cent emissions reductions, aligned with the Paris Agreement on climate change. Adapting to local needs while creating a maximum positive impact on communities and reducing the local negative environmental impact that's the spirit."

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In the same vein, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin pledged earlier this year to manage crowd movements effectively, securing the entrances with QR codes and enhanced security checks. He said: "Those invited will then need to undergo security checks and will receive QR codes to pass security barriers. To manage crowd movement, we can't tell everyone to come."

Delving into the security measures for the upcoming Olympics, an official highlighted the current climate, stating: "For security reasons that everyone understands, notably the terrorist threat of recent weeks, we are obliged to make it free but contained."

In addition, Augustin de Romanet, chairman of Aeroports de Paris, has confirmed stringent aerial restrictions during the event. Speaking to France Info radio, he revealed: "For six hours, there won't be any aircraft over the Paris region."

He further explained the scope of the no-fly zone: "The no-fly zone will operate 150 kilometers around the French capital. The Opening Ceremony will see 10,500 athletes paraded down the River Seine, with 600,000 spectators estimated throughout the city."

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