It’s almost time for the Olympic Games but according to this article there is still some concern about how enthusiastic or not Parisians are about the whole business. Some Parisians, of course, will be more interested in getting away from the capital as it’s almost time for le grand départ when those who can go away for most of August. And then today we have news of arson attacks on part of the TGV network, causing havoc for train services in and out of the capital. Even Eurostar has been affected and holiday makers and other travellers planning to go to Paris from the UK by train are facing delays and cancellations.
It’s rather like a French version of our local problem of the tram service between Oldham and Rochdale being suspended, on a bigger scale, of course, and ours was the result of natural causes (a landslip apparently) rather than deliberate vandalism and possible terrorist activity. The French problem sounds like deliberate disruption.
Some people argue that politics should be kept out of sport, but I read that a spectacular boat procession down the Seine at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games could be used by national delegations seeking to show “solidarity” with the Palestinian cause.
Around 90 vessels carrying 10,500 athletes and officials are due to float in convoy through Paris tonight, including a delegation from Israel. Pro-Palestine organisers said discussions were taking place about a high-profile demonstration.
A “show of solidarity” could involve some unnamed national delegations flying the Palestinian flag or wearing messages on clothing, sources said, as part of a policy of those opposed to Israel’s involvement in the Games to target open-air events over the next three weeks.
A spokesman for Team Israel said that none of their athletes had opted out of taking part in the boat procession.
However, Stephanie Adam, a campaigner with the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, said: “While the International Olympic Committee and host country France would like to hide the dissent, including through repressive and underhanded tactics, the strong popular opposition to genocidal Israel’s presence in the Olympics made itself heard and seen at the Israel-Mali Olympic football match on Wednesday. The dissent will only grow during the Games.
“We call on participating delegations to join calls for a ceasefire now and to stop Israel’s Gaza genocide. We urge Olympic athletes to use their platform to take a stand for Palestinian rights.”
There you go. Personally I am not getting excited about the games. My sports enthusiasm seems to have evaporated after the end of the Tour!
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
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