KUALA LUMPUR – Chef de mission of the Malaysian contingent to the Paris Olympics, Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin, assures that the national athletes and officials are safe following a railway attack in Paris earlier today.
Local media reported France’s high-speed TGV rail network was disrupted by “malicious acts” affecting some of the nation’s busiest lines on the day of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony which is scheduled to take place later tonight.
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal wrote on X that France’s intelligence services had been mobilised to find the perpetrators, characterising the attacks as “acts of sabotage” that were “prepared and coordinated”.
Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete called the “massive attack” against the rail network an “outrageous criminal act”, describing people fleeing from fires and the discovery of incendiary devices at the sites.
When speaking to Scoop from Paris, Hamidin said that the Malaysian athletes were on the way to the river Seine where the opening ceremony will be taking place.
For the first time, the Games’ opening ceremony will not take place in a stadium. Instead, around 85 boats will carry nearly 7,000 athletes on a 6km floating parade on the Seine, at the heart of Paris.
Departing from the Austerlitz bridge, they will sail past the Notre-Dame Cathedral and arrive near the Eiffel Tower, passing under bridges and gateways, including the Pont des Arts and Pont Neuf, and near many of the French capital’s landmarks.
“Our athletes and officials are safe and fine and there is nothing to worry about as we travel by buses and not the trains.
“I read the news and what happened is indeed shocking. But the security system for our Malaysian athletes has been excellent since the first day we arrived here.
“We are now on the way to the Seine and are excited to take part in the opening ceremony,” said Hamidin when contacted.
Hamidin confirmed that six athletes and four officials will represent Malaysia at the opening ceremony, led by two flag bearers, diver Bertrand Rhodict Lises and sailor Nur Shazrin Mohamad Latif.
The other national athletes participating in the opening ceremony include Nur Dhabitah Sabri (diving), Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy (sailing), Ashley Lau (golf) and Tan Rouxin (swimming), along with Hamidin, his deputy Datuk Nicol David, the contingent’s medical chief Dr Jasmiza Khuzairi Jasme and Olympic Council of Malaysia safeguarding officer Ang Li Pei.
At the same time, Road to Gold project coordinator Datuk Stuart Ramalingam, who is also in Paris, echoed Hamidin’s sentiment, saying that security will be tight for the opening ceremony.
“Our national athletes are part of the wider group of athletes from all other countries involved in the opening ceremony.
“From my observations, local security forces are out in big numbers and it has been really tight. However, should there be any issues or concerns, we will be informed in advance.
“They have been managing the processes here, and I believe security will be doubly tight today,” said Stuart when contacted.
It was reported that more than 45,000 police officers, 10,000 soldiers and 2,000 private security agents are being deployed for the opening ceremony, with snipers on rooftops and drones keeping watch from the air. – July 26, 2024