With less than a fortnight remaining for the start of the global sport extravaganza, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Qatar has again emerged as a key player – this time off the field.
As the world turns its spotlight to the French capital, Qatar will be represented by 14 athletes at the Olympics which will be held from July 26-August 11. In the meantime, there is an entirely different team also making their representation on behalf of the nation.
A team of fully equipped Qatari security forces arrived on Friday in Paris to assist the host nation in securing the French capital for the Summer Olympics as well as the Paralympic Games which will be held from August 28-September 8, making a valuable contribution to the smooth flow of the Games. The participation reflects the strength of the growing strategic partnership between Qatar and France, especially in the security field, following a landmark cooperation agreement signed between the two countries last February.
The Qatari security team comprises experts and security specialists who will put their skills and extensive experience to use in Paris to ensure successful security in Paris.
Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani had met with the team of security officials before they departed for France, and had encouraged them to leverage their skills and extensive experience, which they gained through the hosting of a number of major global sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, World Athletics Championships, AFC Asian Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, among numerous others. The smooth flow of those events highlighted the capabilities of Qatari security forces which helped them gain global recognition, which eventually paved the way for their latest assignment on foreign soil.
The Qatari forces will support the French security officials with units such as the Special Unit (Lfdaweia), Personal Protection Unit, Tracking Unit, Explosives Disposal Unit, Cyber-security Unit, security patrols, mounted patrols, anti-drone teams, planning teams, logistics teams, airport security teams, as well as setting up a command and control center and the International Police Cooperation Center (IPCC).
With high jump superstar Mutaz Barshim carrying Qatar’s hopes at the Games, the contingent which also includes seven other track and field athletes, two shooters, a weightlifter, a beach volleyball team, and a swimmer, will be looking to make the nation proud in Paris which will be the most protected city in the globe in the coming month.
