German Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser has said that it considers the arson attacks on railway sites in France as evidence that the significant efforts made by French security services around the Olympic Games are necessary.
“The serious acts of sabotage on the French railway network show how serious the threat in Europe currently is and how important strict security measures are to protect the Olympic Games,” Faeser said on Friday ahead of the opening ceremony of the Summer Games in Paris.
She referred to the temporary checks at the German-French border that she had ordered because of the major sporting event in the neighbouring country.
A few hours before the opening of the Games, unknown persons committed arson at several locations on the French high-speed train network.
The cabinet in Berlin decided this week to support a German bid for the Olympic Games. Faeser’s ministry announced: “The federal government is in favor of the year 2040 for the Games in Germany.”
The minister, who is also responsible for promoting top-level sport, said: “We also want a home match for our athletes again.”
