The Eiffel Tower Climber Shuts Down Closing Ceremony Expectations
PARIS, France — The Eiffel Tower made headlines once again as authorities evacuated the iconic landmark when a man was spotted climbing it just hours before the Olympics closing ceremony on Sunday.
The brave (or perhaps foolish) individual was seen scaling the 330-meter tall tower in the afternoon, starting his ascent from an unknown point and reaching just above the Olympic rings on the second section of the structure, above the first viewing deck.
Interestingly, while the Eiffel Tower played a central role in the opening ceremony with a performance by Celine Dion, it is not expected to be part of the closing ceremony. The final event was scheduled to take place at Stade de France in the Saint-Denis area at 9 p.m.
With security concerns heightened, more than 30,000 police officers have been deployed across Paris and surrounding areas to oversee the last Olympic events and ensure the safety of attendees at the closing ceremony.
France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that around 3,000 police officers will be stationed around the Stade de France, while an additional 20,000 police troops and security personnel will be on duty in Paris and Saint-Denis to maintain safety throughout the night.