French authorities have praised Morocco for its significant contribution to securing the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) has dispatched a team, including a specialized bomb disposal unit, to assist in safeguarding the major sporting event.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Sophie Hatt, Director of International Security Cooperation (DCIS) at the French Ministry of the Interior and Overseas Territories, expressed her gratitude and admiration for the Moroccan bomb disposal experts.
“A reference in demining, Morocco was called upon by the Ministry of the Interior and Overseas Territories as part of the international reinforcements supporting the French security forces during the #JO2024,” Hatt wrote.
Hatt further noted that “ten Moroccan bomb disposal experts have been deployed in the host cities of Bordeaux, Lyon, Nice, and Lille. They are contributing to the security of the #JO2024, alongside the General Directorate of Civil Security and Crisis Management.”
The post also included photos showing four Moroccan bomb disposal specialists working with their French counterparts from the bomb disposal intervention group in Bordeaux.
The deployment of Moroccan teams is part of a cooperation agreement between the French and Moroccan security services, aimed at ensuring the various Olympic sites, stadiums, and sports venues.
The Moroccan security delegation comprises specialists in explosives, liaison and communication, sports venue security, information analysis and processing, and sports event organization.
This collaboration is not Morocco’s first involvement in securing international competitions.
In 2022, Morocco partnered with Qatar to secure the FIFA Qatar World Cup. Through a joint agreement, the North African country sent security teams to assist in safeguarding the prestigious event.
A Moroccan cybersecurity team was also dispatched to tighten security at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, where the World Cup’s final match took place.