The 2024 Paris Olympics officially begins today with world leaders arriving in the French capital, but the country's rail network has been disrupted by vandals. The opening ceremony will see boats carry athletes and dignitaries down a section of the River Seine.
Amélie Oudéa-Castera, France's sports minister, has said she condemns the people who carried out arson attacks on railway lines 'extremely strongly'.She told Sky News: 'It's probably a large-scale sabotage.'She added that 'malicious acts' were 'probably coordinated'.She said it was important that the 'quality of the experience for the athletes' is not jeopardised - and for the spectators, too.
Asked if the arson attacks were the work of Russia or of a terrorist group, she said: 'Maybe.'She added: 'It could also be protesters - even French people.'Amélie Oudéa-Castera said the perpetrators were 'playing against the side of the athletes, who have been working so hard, for so many years'.She added: 'I have a little bit of anger. We are not going to let ourselves be destabilised by this.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Olympic chiefs make major change to athletics stadium for Paris 2024 leaving competitors stunned...Major change to athletics stadium for Paris Olympics leaves competitors stunned
Read more »
Winter Olympics 2030: France named as hosts for Olympics & ParalympicsFrance will host the 2030 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, on the condition it provides financial guarantees.
Read more »
France rejects 3,500 Olympics jobseekers over security risks including 130 on TERROR blacklist after ISIS...OLYMPICS THREAT France rejects 3,500 Olympics jobseekers including 130 on TERROR blacklist (1)
Read more »
Arson attack paralyses France's rail network ahead of Paris Olympics opening ceremonyA spate of arson attacks on France’ s rail network have brought chaos to the start of the Paris Olympics today. With just hours to go before the opening ceremony on the River Seine on Friday, fires were started at key installations overnight, grinding trains to a halt.
Read more »
Vandals target Paris Olympics with arson attacks on high-speed rail routesVandals have carried out arson attacks on France's high-speed train network causing major travel disruption ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
Read more »
Wetherspoons to make major change at 784 pubs next week just in time for the Olympics...Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin lifts the lid on how his beers are so cheap
Read more »