French authorities have refused to allow “less than a hundred” journalists, physiotherapists and technical workers from other countries to attend the 2024 Olympics, fearing that they might turn out to be “spies”. The country's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin spoke about this in an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche.
Darmanen noted that these are citizens of Russia, Belarus, as well as other countries that he refused to name. According to the minister, people who were denied accreditation could collect information and carry out cyberattacks.
On the other hand, we allowed Russians [to the Olympic Games] working in the International Olympic Committee. We proceed from the precautionary principle,” Darmanen said.
The head of the department added that his subordinates checked 960 thousand people, “right down to water distributors.” Darmanen told reporters that all Olympic personnel — volunteers, stewards, athletes' entourage — will be «under surveillance.» The minister did not specify how exactly it will be implemented.
The Summer Olympic Games will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11. 15 people from Russia will go to them in the status of “neutral athletes”. For the first time in 40 years, the competition will not be broadcast on Russian television.