Last week, French radio station Europe 1 reported that French security services had recommended that the parade of athletes on the Seine be canceled amid the high terrorist threat level. However, the French Foreign Ministry later told RIA Novosti that the country's security services had dismissed any concerns about the opening ceremony, despite media reports to the contrary.
"Unfortunately, France has been faced with a terrorist threat for several years now. We know that. Sometimes, it comes from the outside, sometimes from within ... We have increased our vigilance and raised the terrorist threat level following the terrorist attack in Moscow. We will be ready," Macron told reporters during the opening of a water sports center near Paris.
The French authorities are preparing several "backup scenarios" for the opening ceremony should the circumstances change and the threat level rise, although the parade on the Seine remains the preferred option, Macron added.
Macron also reiterated his February promise to swim in the Seine despite public concerns about the water's quality. In 2023, a test swimming competition on the Seine was canceled due to doubts about the water quality.
"I am not in the habit of joking about such things," the French president said when asked whether his February statement was a joke.
After the deadly assault on the Crocus City Hall venue near Moscow in March, the French authorities raised the terrorist threat level in the country to the highest.