A French publication reports a string of thefts targeting participants at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The Parisian outlet details several incidents where valuables vanished from athletes during the games.
According to the source, a Japanese rugby player discovered the loss of a wedding ring and 3,000 euros. An Australian team coach faced the theft of a bank card, which was later used to withdraw 900 euros. There were no signs of forced entry in the rooms of the victims, suggesting crimes carried out while individuals were away or inside hotel spaces.
Earlier in Paris, on July 26, another notable robbery occurred involving Brazilian football legend and former CSKA head coach Zico. Reports describe a bag containing diamonds, a Rolex watch, a necklace, and cash being stolen, with total losses reaching 540,000 dollars. The previous day, July 25, Thiago Almada, a midfielder for the Argentine Olympic squad, fell victim to robbers in Paris. Comments on the incident followed in an interview with TyC Sports, recapping the game days after the group stage opener against the Moroccan national team and noting remarks by the South American head coach Javier Mascherano.
In the broader context of Olympic governance, discussions have circulated about the status of athletes from certain nations. In response to Russia’s military actions abroad, the International Olympic Committee has maintained a stance of suspending athletes from Russia and Belarus and urged federations to restrict participation in international events. In December 2023, the IOC permitted Russian athletes to compete at the 2024 Games with neutral status, contingent on compliance with specified conditions.
The IOC has also faced scrutiny over involvement in regional conflicts, including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian dispute, with decisions that attracted scrutiny and debate from member federations and national Olympic committees. The overarching emphasis remains on safeguarding athlete safety while ensuring fair competition across all participating nations. [Source: Olympic governance updates and incident reports]
These developments highlight the safety challenges and political complexities surrounding large multinational sporting events. They underscore the importance of robust security measures, athlete awareness, and proactive coordination among organizers, national committees, and local authorities to minimize risks in high-profile competitions. [Source: incident briefings and IOC communications]