Egypt Daily News – France is preparing to receive dozens of presidents and governments, kings and leaders, in addition to the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, in an unprecedented opening ceremony for the Summer Olympic Games on the Seine River, amid exceptional security reinforcements today, Friday.
Paris witnessed a widespread security alert in preparation for the celebration, amid fears of the impact of political unrest on the conduct of the Olympic Games.
No Russian official was invited to represent President Vladimir Putin, against the backdrop of the war launched by Russia against its neighbor Ukraine, while security measures were strengthened for the Israeli delegation after tensions escalated due to the ongoing Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip after the attack launched by Hamas on October 7.
On the eve of the opening ceremony of the largest sporting events, doubts still loom over the attendance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Samuel Ducroquet, the French Ambassador for Sports, stressed his country’s readiness, saying, “We are ready to welcome the world.”
Europeans but not Russians
In response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the beating of war drums three years ago, Russian and Belarusian athletes were banned from participating in the Paris Games, while a small group of them were allowed to participate under a neutral flag and under strict conditions.
On the other hand, the list of guests who will attend a reception at the Elysee Palace on Friday did not include Zelensky’s name. While there was no immediate comment from Kiev.
New British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, keen to strengthen relations with France, will be present in the stands overlooking the Seine to watch the stunning river show.
British Ambassador to France Mina Rawlings said that Paris 2024 “is a major event for France but also for Britain,” adding that about 500,000 tickets were sold in Britain.
Other European leaders are also expected to attend, most notably German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, will also attend, accompanied by the country’s President, Salome Zurabishvili, in addition to the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu.
First Lady of the United States
US President Joe Biden (81 years old), who recently announced his withdrawal from the race to run for president for a second term and is recovering from the Corona virus, will not travel to Paris, but First Lady Jill Biden has confirmed her attendance.
The closing ceremony will be attended by Douglas Emhoff, husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris, who announced her candidacy for the presidential race to the White House.
The Israeli delegation
Israeli President Isaac Herzog will attend the opening ceremony under heavy protection, despite Tehran’s protests.
Herzog will also meet with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on the sidelines of the ceremony. The President of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, Jibril Rajoub, represents the President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.
Call for a ceasefire
Despite repeated calls for a ceasefire between the warring countries, the sounds of guns will not stop in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere, but the Olympics will be an opportunity for intense diplomatic activity.
On the sidelines of the opening ceremony on Friday, the Portuguese Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, will urge countries to “lay down their weapons,” and Macron also called for an “Olympic truce.”
