International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has insisted he has "full confidence" in the French authorities - after arson attacks on the train network in the country caused disruption for thousands on the day of the Opening Ceremony for the Paris Olympics.
The impact of the blazes on high-speed rail lines in the French capital are expected to affect approximately 800,000 people ahead of the Games . The Opening Ceremony is set to attract crowds of 600,000 along the River Seine, with the spectacle to take place outside of a host stadium for the first time in history.
Speaking on Friday, the country's Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete confirmed the French Government's account of events as he reported "coordinated malicious acts" on the TGV network. He said: All the evidence in our possession shows that it was deliberate, with simultaneous schedules, everything happened at the same time. Everything indicates to us that these were indeed arson attacks."
READ MORE: France bans Russian and Belarusian citizens from Olympics over foreign interference suspicions
READ MORE: Paris Olympics: 95 percent of venues exceed World Health Organization's pollution limits
Now, IOC chief Bach has broken his silence on the matter as he spoke to the BBC about the incidents. He asserted: "I don't have concerns, we have full confidence in the French authorities.
All the measures are being taken," he added before issuing a vote of confidence in the host nation's security protocols, saying: "The French authorities are assisted by 180 other intelligence services around the world. We have good reason to have full confidence."
The primary fire had been identified at near Courtalain in the Eure-et-Loir department, with this leading to major disruption on the SNCF train network. TGV Inoui and Ouigo trains have been re-routed on different lines, while busy Paris hubs such as Montparnasse have been swamped with travellers, after services from Tours and Le Mans were cancelled.
Follow us on X for the best and latest in sports news
With disruption expected to carry on through the weekend, SNCF issued a statement on the matter, reading: "Last night, the SNCF was victim of several acts of vandalism on the Atlantic, Northern and Eastern high-speed lines. Fires were deliberately set to damage our installations."
Eurostar added: "Due to coordinated acts of malice in France, affecting the high speed line between Paris and Lille, all high speed trains going to and coming from Paris are being diverted via the classic line today Friday 26 July. This extends the journey time by around an hour and a half. Several trains have been cancelled."
Meanwhile, the French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera also spoke about the incidents in an emotive address on BFMTV, saying: "It’s completely appalling. To target the games is to target France. These Games are for the athletes who have been dreaming of them for years and fighting for the holy grail of standing on the podium – and someone’s sabotaging that for them."
Most Popular
Comments / 0