After fright, Euro 2016 is faced with the huge challenge of security – Eurosport.fr

         In seven months ago the Euro 2016. In seven months, the threat has not disappeared. For more than seven months, fear and doubts will not dissipate. After the horror of Friday, the question of safety arises more than ever for the organizing country. For terrorists, all occasions are good to create an atmosphere of terror and strike hard. Sport is one. The Euro 2016, with its planetary resonance, is particularly vulnerable in this respect.
       

         Shocked few minutes after the final whistle of France and Germany Friday, Christmas Graët did not hide his fears. “ For the euro, there was a concern. Today, it is obviously even stronger,” slipped the president of the FFF in L’Equipe. From there to question the organization of Euro 2016 in France, while 2.5 million spectators are expected? Probably not. Though gradation terrorism risk has yet crossed a new threshold. For Jacques Lambert, president of the organizing committee of Euro 2016, the question does not arise. “C is unthinkable, it must in no circumstances renounce “, he firmly stated on Europe 1.
       

         If the world of sport has clearly been targeted on Friday, security at major sports events is always a major issue. And the threat was taken into account from the very beginning of the adventure Euro 2016. “ Safety is a priority in the organization of Euro since the application ” explains Ziad Khoury, director of safety and security of the Euro 2016 SAS. “ It has been planned since at a high level, higher than any other national or international match in France “. “ After January we just had reassessed the level of risk. The terrifying tragedy Friday night (at least 129 dead, ed) will have the same effect ” added Jacques Lambert.
       

Police officers in front of the Stade de France – 2015 – AFP

         For Euro 2016, specific measures have already been taken. As “ a perimeter of extra security, a number of stewards well above the usual larger posters and implementation of specific technological devices ,” Khoury slides. Sad Friday events will however make even a difference. “ we will lead Friday’s attacks to further strengthen some aspects as we have always considered that it was necessary to adjust some sliders risk analysis”, adds security director of the competition.
       

         The state, which has the lead role and is responsible for the magnitude of the overall security device, will place even higher level of vigilance to secure the competition. And there are bound consequences in the organization of the Euro. In this context, the optimal balance between security and friendly side looks hard to find. It may be at the expense of the environment. An intentional choice. And any vital way. “ It is more that can change the perspective on the event and it will happen around as gatherings to attend public viewing of matches ,” says Ziad Khoury. “ If it has to go through less ‘friendly’ measures (less user-friendly), too bad ” adds Jacques Lambert, adding: “ what important is that people go home safely ”
       

         Security will anyway necessarily one of the major challenges of this competition. And it will not be limited to the Euro. France, who dreams of the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, knows that the proper conduct of this European Championship will also be one of the keys for the Paris dossier to the IOC. A little more than a year for the allocation of 2024 Olympics (in September 2017), a Euro marked by possible security problems probably permanently handicap the Paris bid. So France will play big in June. A two reasons.