PARIS, July  26, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The Paris Olympics were poised to open in

an unprecedented ceremony along the river Seine on Friday to mark the formal
launch of the global sporting spectacular.

       In an ambitious, high-risk departure from past opening ceremonies, up to
7,500 athletes were poised to sail down a six-kilometre (four-mile) stretch of
the Seine in an armada of 85 boats.

      Despite the forecast of heavy rain, and a wave of attacks which paralysed
France's rail system early Friday, organisers were confident of pulling off the
audacious opening ceremony.

       "We'll see tonight... but the closer it gets the more the models suggest
we're likely to get rain," chief Games organiser Tony Estanguet told France
Inter radio, while adding that there would be some modifications to the show if
it was wet.

      "It's going to be a beautiful moment, it's going to be a great party," he
added.
       
       - Hunt for culprits -
    
       
 French security forces are on their highest alert to prevent terror attacks
spoiling the start of the first Olympics in Paris in 100 years, while acts of
sabotage from hostile foreign powers were also a known risk.

       French officials refused to comment on the identity of those responsible
for the rail sabotage who appear to have had a sophisticated understanding of
the network.

       Far-left French anarchists have a history of targeting the train network
with arson attacks.

       Suspicions might also fall on Russia, which French President Emmanuel
Macron has said in the past was planning to target the Games.

       Police arrested a Russian man this week in Paris who was suspected of
"organising events likely to lead to destabilisation during the Olympic Games".

       Commenting on the rail disruption, which will affect 800,000 people over
the weekend, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach told the
media he had no concerns.

       "We have full confidence in the French authorities," he said at the
Athletes' Village.

       The USA men's basketball team was also set to take a high-speed train to
play their opening game on Sunday against Serbia in the northern city of Lille.
       
       - Security blanket -  
       
 Compared to the Covid-blighted 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which were delayed by a
year and opened in an empty stadium, the Paris opening ceremony will take place
in front of 300,000 ticketed spectators and many more from overlooking
buildings.

       It will be the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside the main
athletics stadium, a decision fraught with danger at a time when France is on
its highest alert for terrorism.

       Long queues formed at access points along the Seine around four hours
before the start of the parade.

      After passing scanners and checkpoints, the first arrivals discovered the
numerous floating stages installed in the river channel, bridges that have been
festooned with flags and the pink-and-purple colours of the Games.

      "The atmosphere is really friendly," said 75-year-old Frenchman Jean-Yves
Herve who was equipped with an umbrella and will watch with his grand-daughter.

       "There are lots of foreigners, we're enjoying it. It's good for France."

      A huge security perimeter has been erected along both banks of the Seine,
guarded around the clock by some of the 45,000 police and paramilitary officers
who will be on duty on Friday evening.

      Another 10,000 soldiers are set to add to the security blanket along with
22,000 private security guards.

     "Without any doubt, it is much more difficult to secure half of Paris than
to secure a stadium, where you have 80,000 people and you can frisk them and
send them through turnstiles," Frederic Pechenard, an ex-director general of
the French police, told AFP.

       Police snipers are set to be positioned on high points along the river,
which is overlooked by hundreds of buildings.

     The line-up of performers is a closely guarded secret but US pop star Lady
Gaga and French-Malian singer Aya Nakamura are rumoured to be among them.

      US rapper Snoop Dogg carried the Olympic torch earlier Saturday, sparking
speculation he might also appear in the ceremony.

       Around 3,000 dancers are set to perform from the banks of the river and
monuments including Notre-Dame cathedral in a show that will promote diversity,
gender equality and French history.

    The landmarks and architecture of the City of Light are set to feature as a
backdrop both to Friday night's show and much of the sport afterwards.

       Paris's vision is for a more cost-effective and less polluting Olympics
than previous editions, with competitions set to take place at historic
locations around the capital.