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00:00 Well, here in Paris, we're counting the days until the start of the summer Olympic Games.
00:04 The Eiffel Tower's countdown clock is now officially marking time set at 100 days.
00:09 Earlier today, the Olympic flame began its journey, setting off from the ancient Greek
00:14 city of Olympia.
00:15 The flame's expected to reach the southern French port city of Marseille on May 8th.
00:19 Camille Knight has more.
00:22 Three, two, one, and just like that, the 100-day countdown begins for the Paris 2024 Olympic
00:30 Games.
00:31 That's 100 days before the highly anticipated but controversial opening ceremony, the first
00:37 to ever be planned on a river.
00:42 We want to show what our country is capable of.
00:45 On this project, as on all projects, we have a certain number of alternatives, options,
00:49 contingency plans, which will enable us to launch the Games whatever the context, whether
00:54 French or international.
00:59 On Tuesday, Paris' mayor appeared confident when asked whether or not the ceremony on
01:04 the 26th of July would take place as planned on the River Seine.
01:12 Doubt was spread on Monday when President Emmanuel Macron said authorities had alternative
01:16 plans in case of a terrorism threat.
01:19 The government previously downsized ambitions to have 600,000 people lining the River Seine
01:24 for the opening ceremony, citing the risk of attacks and halving the number of attendees.
01:30 To mitigate risks, the president has reiterated plans for a cordoned-off perimeter surrounding
01:35 the river starting eight days before the start of the Games, and said 30,000 security personnel
01:41 would be mobilised throughout.