The Senate widely approved this Tuesday the star article of the Olympic bill, very focused on security, which will authorize the experimentation of cameras equipped with algorithms starting this year for the 2024 Olympic Games.
For the Minister of Sports and Olympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, this text contains “the essential adjustments to follow up on our commitments and our operational needs for the realization and proper functioning of the Olympic Games”. The debate calmed down, even on the most sensitive points.
This law comes a few months after the fiasco of the Champions League final at the end of May at the Stade de France. Ticketless spectators climbing through the gates, ticket holders blocked at the entrance, families tear gassed by the police or even robberies and muggings, the final had turned into a nightmare.
So, to secure the Paris Olympics, which are likely to attract 13 million spectators, and some 600,000 people for the opening ceremony along the banks of the Seine on July 26, authorities require the use of cameras to detect suspicious movements in the crowd.
“Development of a French Framework”
As many as abords des enceintes that dans the adjacent transports, they pourront aussi detecter “des objets abandonnés”, or encore permettre “des analyzes statistiques, de flux de fréquentation par example (…)”, selon l’étude d’impact de the law.
The experimentation of these new tools may begin from the entry into force of the law, but also for “recreational” and “cultural” events. The text was retouched by the Government after the opinion of the Cnil (National Commission for Informatics and Liberties) and the Council of State.
When the session resumed in the afternoon, the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, came out to defend this measure, explaining that it was important to “develop a French framework”, after Amélie Oudéa-Castéra reiterated a little earlier that the government “does not wanted facial recognition for the Olympics.”
The Minister of the Interior also defended the measure that allows people who intervene in fan zones to be “screened” (subjecting them to an administrative investigation) because otherwise “we would leave an enormous field of action for terrorists.” An LR amendment was adopted to be able to filter out “temporary workers”.
Body scans and genetic tests
Another security measure: body scanners, which could somewhat make up for the lack of private security guards, and in particular women, that everyone expects. And “this before coming to the army”, reacted Gérald Darmanin, when an amendment by David Assouline (PS) on the subject was presented.
Another sensitive issue: genetic testing to meet global anti-doping standards. After having foreseen a distinction in committee, the Senate finally approved an amendment by the rapporteur LR Agnes Canayer aimed at “perpetuating all genetic tests in the sports code, without going through the experimental phase.”
It is about verifying that there is no genetic doping (gene therapy, messenger RNA, gene editing) but also transfusion or substitution of samples.
The possibility of repealing the opening of shops on Sundays between June and September 2024 was also voted on. The text also reinforces the sanctions in case of intrusion into a sports venue. A solemn vote is scheduled for January 31.
Source: BFM TV
