International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach admitted security was the top priority for Olympic Games but declined to raise the par for Paris bid when it comes to terrorism concerns.
“Security is always top priority for the International Olympic Committee, of course,” the IOC President told media before summing up his two-day visit to Paris for the French capital’s bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, reports Xinhua on Sunday.
“We have to face challenges, but these challenges are not restricted to one particular city or to one particular country,” he added when asked by Xinhua whether there are any concerns of terrorism considering Paris bid.
“Unfortunately, we are living in a world where all normal citizens have to live with these threats of terrorism. This is true for every country in the world. So, what’s important is to see how the countries are dealing with these challenges,” Bach said.
“Nobody knows how the world looks like seven years from now on security wise. And on the other hand, France has shown through recent organisation of the Euro that they can deal with security challenges,” said the 62-year-old German.
Paris, a major target of terrorist attacks in the past two years with 130 people killed last November, is among the candidates to host the 2024 Games, competing against Los Angeles of the United States, Hungary’s Budapest and the Italian capital city of Rome.
Bach also said that he is impressed by the unity of France and Paris for the bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.