Anger instead of anticipation for the Olympics

The attack on the railway network has caused anger in France – after all, it has significantly dampened the joy of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Initial indications point to arson.

This day had been eagerly awaited – worldwide. And now the whole world is not talking about the anticipation of the colorful opening of the Olympic Games, but about a controlled and planned sabotage of France's railway network, says acting Prime Minister Gabriel Attal. The perpetrators are being sought and will be punished.

“I want to condemn in the strongest possible terms what happened,” said France's acting sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. “I feel anger. Playing against the Games is playing against France. We want to send a message of openness.”

The athletes have been dreaming of the Olympic podium for years, said Oudéa-Castéra. “These are not the government's games, but those of an entire nation, of the sporting world, which have been prepared with so much care for almost ten years.”

Evidence of arson

Around 800,000 travellers have so far been affected by the attacks on the infrastructure of the French railway company SNCF. More specifically, the TGV trains on the routes towards the Atlantic, in the north and east of France – all the way to London.

“Today, all the elements we have show that this was a deliberate act,” said acting Transport Minister Patrice Vergriete. “The coincidence in time, all these incidents at the same times, the vans found, people who fled, incendiary devices found on site.” An investigation is underway. All indications point to arson.

“It should have been a holiday”

SNCF boss Jean-Pierre Farandou also made his point: “It should have been a holiday. Today was the day of the big departure for vacation. And of course also the day of the opening of the Olympic Games – with many French people who wanted to go to Paris, who wanted to treat themselves, who took a few days off to share the joy. All of that was spoiled. It is a day of mourning.”

But the railway boss assured that his employees will not give up. “Count on the railway workers who are mobilizing to keep the impact of this massive attack on the high-speed network as low as possible for the French.” With the attack on the railway, a part of France was attacked.

The traffic disruptions are expected to continue until the weekend. The start of the Olympic adventure is extremely unfortunate.