![Games organisers will hope for peaceful reaction to French election: ex-IOC executive](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/03/e3/23/Games-organisers-will-hope-for-peac-187611.jpg)
-
DR Congo sentences 25 soldiers to death for 'fleeing the enemy': lawyer
-
Sinner, Alcaraz move on at Wimbledon as Osaka slumps on Centre Court return
-
'Lucky' Sinner defeats big-hitting Berrettini to reach Wimbledon third round
-
Messi a doubt for Argentina ahead of Copa quarter-final
-
British tennis ace Raducanu votes for 'lie-in' on election day
-
France film director Jacquot charged with raping two actors
-
Israel 'evaluating' new Hamas 'ideas' on halting Gaza war
-
Venezuela, US agree to 'improve relations,' says Caracas
-
Under-fire Kenya govt says to review state salary hikes
-
Thousands told to flee raging California wildfire
-
Osaka focuses on Olympics after Wimbledon KO
-
Tens of thousands flee south Gaza as tensions soar
-
US Fed officials stressed 'patience' on rate cuts: minutes
-
Blond not bombs as Fognini learns to love Wimbledon
-
New lithium plant inaugurated in Argentina
-
Threads hits 175 mn users on first anniversary
-
French court says Netflix shark hit can keep streaming in copycat row
-
Comeback king 'Cav' to carry on doing the thing he loves
-
Alcaraz marches on at Wimbledon as Osaka returns to Centre Court
-
Biden under pressure as Democratic panic rises
-
Belarus frees 'some political prisoners': exiled opposition leader
-
Alcaraz coasts into Wimbledon third round
-
Cavendish makes Tour de France history with 35th stage win
-
Everton sign forward Ndiaye from Marseille
-
Bailed Indian opposition leader to return as chief minister
-
World's oldest artwork discovered in Indonesian cave
-
Toney urges England to kick on after Euros reprieve
-
Murray teams up with Raducanu in Wimbledon mixed doubles
-
Former England rugby coach Jack Rowell dies aged 87
-
Hurricane Beryl bears down on Jamaica
-
US trade deficit expands less than expected in May: govt
-
'The god took away my son': Indians grieve after deadly stampede
-
Moscow hit by heat not seen in over a century
-
US private hiring eases unexpectedly in June: ADP
-
Confident Kroos says Germany-Spain clash 'won't be my last game'
-
Paris bars to open 24h for Olympics opening ceremony
-
Putin, Xi vie for influence at Central Asian summit
-
Germany, Sweden arrest eight over Syria crimes against humanity
-
French giant Mpetshi Perricard joins Wimbledon heavy artillery
-
Two-time Major winner Langer to make 'emotional' European Tour bow
-
French PM urges united front to stop far-right takeover
-
Olympic silver medallist gymnast Poujade dies at 51
-
Bhole Baba: preacher at centre of Indian stampede disaster
-
Microsoft to invest 2.2 bn euros in Spain data centres
-
Showdowns, young guns and own goals as Euro 2024 head into quarter-finals
-
Russia advances in east, kills five in Dnipro strikes
-
France prosecutors request rape charges against film director
-
Schumacher blackmail suspects had 'family photos'
-
EU clears Lufthansa's proposed ITA Airways stake, with conditions
-
Indian World Cup winners head home after hurricane delay
![Games organisers will hope for peaceful reaction to French election: ex-IOC executive](https://www.portugalcolonial.pt/media/shared/articles/03/e3/23/Games-organisers-will-hope-for-peac-187611.jpg)
Games organisers will hope for peaceful reaction to French election: ex-IOC executive
The key risk to the Paris Games from the political uncertainty gripping France is public disturbances that could impact the already stretched security services, a former International Olympic Committee executive told AFP on Monday.
The far-right National Rally (RN) party of Marine Le Pen won a resounding victory in the first round of snap legislative elections on Sunday, with President Emmanuel Macron's centrists trailing in third behind a left-wing coalition.
A second round of voting takes place next Sunday, just 19 days before the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
A hung parliament could lead to months of political paralysis and chaos -- just as Paris is hosting the Games.
Michael Payne, former head of marketing at the IOC, told AFP the level of support politically and around France during the ongoing torch relay suggested "the Olympics themselves are not going to be caught in any political crossfire."
However, on the streets it may be a different matter if a section of the electorate take the results badly.
"The key risk is whether the election results lead to any form of public disturbance," Payne said.
"That might impact the security and the already stretched services."
Payne said security services would already be focusing on the potential for trouble due to two crises happening outside France which have stirred emotions across the world.
"The geopolitical lead-up to these Olympics, from the Russia-Ukraine war to the Israel/Palestine situation, makes for the most complex and sensitive international situation for more than three decades."
Payne's fellow former International Olympic Committee (IOC) marketing executive Terrence Burns agreed but said he had confidence in the security services.
"I would politely note that the French authorities have a great deal of experience in dealing with civic disruption," he said.
"Internal political unrest does indeed add another wrinkle to the Games security planning, but I highly doubt it is something that no-one there has considered and planned for."
- 'Olympic pixie dust' -
As for the likely change in government both agree it should not have an effect on the Olympics except for different faces occupying the ministerial positions.
Payne, who in nearly two decades at the IOC was credited with overhauling its brand and finances through sponsorship, said apart from the gladhanding at the opening ceremony the Games were out of the politicians' hands.
"All of the major decisions involving politicians -- capital construction, venue location, environmental planning -- had already been taken long ago," said the 66-year-old Irishman.
"Final delivery is left to the organising committee and civil servants, not the politicians."
Payne says, though, the IOC would want everyone involved to keep their eye on the ball as "national elections do have a habit of distracting people."
"There is a need for leadership to be focused and able to take quick, fast decisions, as the situation arises."
Burns, though, believes the Olympics -- the greatest sporting global spectacle -- will be a pleasant, albeit temporary distraction.
"The Games always bring a 17-day snowstorm of 'Olympic pixie dust' to the host city," said Burns, who after leaving the IOC played a key role in five successful Olympic bid city campaigns.
"It's quite remarkable and always a pleasant surprise, though it shouldn't be.
"The host city or country knows the world has stopped by for a visit at a level and intensity that is different even for a global centre of tourism like Paris."
Burns cites Sydney in 2000 and London in 2012 as examples "of entire nations suddenly stopping their complaining about the Games to become Olympic evangelists for the entire Games period."
"Even taxi drivers, waiters, and journalists -- the three key barometers of public discourse and attitudes towards any and everything -- are not immune," he said.
"So, yes, I believe the Games will remain a significant point of pride for the vast majority of the French nation and her people."
F.Santana--PC