Paris 2024 Olympic Games: more than 200 gendarmes and police officers, 31 vehicles… everything you need to know about the “security bubble” around the relay

The Béziers Chief of Staff Lionel Valéro is one of the 50 police officers who will ensure the security of the relay. Midi Libre – Jean-Pierre Amarger

This close security cordon will accompany the torch relay to Paris in more than 450 cities. A police officer from Béziers is part of the close guard and a gendarme from Lunel is also part of the system.

A real "security bubble", in the words of the Ministry of the Interior To ensure the smooth running of a relay which will pass through 450 towns in ;here upon his arrival in Paris on July 14, a special escort was set up and trained very carefully.
50 police officers and as many gendarmes will also take turns carrying the flame as close as possible to be able to intervene in the event of a threat, attack, or any attempt aimed at disrupting the smooth running of the relay.

A hundred mobile forces will support this system which will include no less than 31 vehicles in its most complete configuration (urban) and 13 in less accessible environments.

"I will be able to combine my passion and my job"

Chief of Staff at the Béziers police station, Lionel Valéro is one of the lucky ones who will form the escort closest to the torchbearers. A real consecration for this 52-year-old sports enthusiast. "I've always been doing sport, it’s an environment that I particularly like and there I will be able to combine my passion and my job. Having the chance to participate in this event is something unique, an opportunity that only comes once in a career", he declared ago a few days in Midi Libre.

For this "sports policeman" mission, Lionel Valéro will have dedicated sports equipment and will supervise the torchbearers in "brisk walking or running".

Keep the procession moving

This escort will have the mission of protecting the flame and its bearers until July 26, the date of the opening ceremony of the Games. She will also officiate in August for the Paralympic Games relay. With two watchwords: ensure that it never goes out and that the procession always remains moving.

As in 2008, an imposing security cordon to surround the torch on its journey to Paris. MAXPPP – PATRICK KOVARIK

The hundred selected police officers and gendarmes underwent special training for this purpose. They benefited from close protection techniques, with two one-week sessions integrating exercise modules and role-playing. Different scenarios were explored ranging from "intrusion, to the discomfort of the wearer up to bad weather conditions" explains Lionel Valéro.

A morning briefing like "Tour de France"

The mixed command will be carried out jointly by a lieutenant-colonel of the gendarmerie and a commissioner. A mixed group of around twenty agents will be engaged around the torch. One group will remain in reserve and another as replacement in order to ensure permanent coverage for 50 throughout the 63 stages of the relay.

Every morning, a briefing will be organized in “Tour de France” mode to take into account the topography of the stage and potential threats.

"This selection is a hell of a form of recognition. I take it as a form of thanks from my hierarchy for these 32 years of serving others, welcomes Lionel Valéro. A gendarme from Hérault, Squadron Leader Jean Casaubieilh, who has just left Lunel's company, is also part of the system but for an advanced mission. He precedes the procession by 24 hours to carry out checks on each stage of the relay.

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