Paris police are sealing off the Seine River ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony
An iron curtain has come down across central Paris
Paris police are sealing off the Seine River ahead of the Olympics opening ceremony
Show all 6Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An iron curtain came down across central Paris on Thursday, with the beginning of an Olympic anti-terrorism perimeter along the banks of the River Seine sealing off a kilometers-long (miles-long) area to Parisians and tourists who hadn’t applied in advance for a pass.
The words on many lips were “QR code,” the pass that granted access beyond snaking metal barriers that delineated the security zone set up to protect the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony on July 26.
Those with the precious code – either on their phones or printed out on pieces of paper – passed smoothly past police checkpoints at gaps in the barriers, which are taller than most people.
Those without the code were mostly turned away – with no amount of grumbling and cajoling making officers budge.
The perimeter went into effect early Thursday morning and will last through the ceremony. As an exception, Paris has decided to hold the opening ceremony on the river rather than in a stadium, like previous host cities. Most of the river security measures will be lifted after the ceremony.
Officers were under instructions to be polite and accommodating as employees on their way to work and others dealt with the perimeter for the first time.
___
Follow AP coverage of the Olympics at https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.