Behind the Scenes: My Journey as Platoon Commander at Turin 2006 and the Importance of Unseen Guardians at the #Paris2024 Olympics
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games captivate audiences worldwide, I'm reminded of a significant chapter from my past. In 2006, I served as a platoon commander in the 186th Parachute Regiment of the Italian Army Paratrooper Brigade "Folgore", where we were tasked with providing security at the Bobsleigh venue in Cesana Torinese and the Snowboard venue in Bardonecchia during the Winter Olympics in Turin. This experience offered a unique insight into the vital yet often invisible role that security forces play in ensuring the success and safety of such grand events.
The true measure of effective security at major events like the Olympics is often its invisibility. Spectators and participants are typically unaware of the extensive efforts undertaken to ensure their safety, allowing them to enjoy the events without concern. During the Turin Winter Olympics, our team worked tirelessly behind the scenes—conducting thorough checks, monitoring potential threats, and maintaining a vigilant presence. These efforts ensured that the games proceeded smoothly, with a secure environment that went largely unnoticed by the public, which is exactly how it should be.
Pre-Deployment and the Threat of the "Black Blocs"
Our preparation for the Turin 2006 Olympics began under unique and urgent circumstances. My unit was pre-alerted during the Christmas holiday of 2005, with orders to arrive in the area by December 30, 2005, to become operational the following day. This early deployment was in response to concerns about potential disruptions by the "Black Blocs," a group known for their violent protests. At the time, they were actively opposing the construction of the Turin-Lyon high-speed train line. The fear was that they might target the Olympic venues, using the international attention to amplify their protests. Our presence was crucial in deterring any attempts at sabotage and ensuring the safety of the Games.
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Linking to Paris 2024: Adapting to New Security Challenges
As Paris hosts the 2024 Summer Olympics, the importance of discreet yet robust security measures is as critical as ever. The security landscape has evolved significantly since 2006, with new threats like cyber attacks and global terrorism requiring sophisticated and adaptive strategies. The ongoing work in Paris, much like in Turin, involves a seamless blend of visible and invisible security measures, ensuring that the Games are not only safe but also welcoming. The success of such efforts lies in their quiet efficiency—visible only in their absence of incidents.
From Turin 2006 to Paris 2024, The Evolution of Olympic Security
Reflecting on my role with the 186th Parachute Regiment during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, I am struck by how the essence of Olympic security has evolved. Our mission in Turin was a blend of vigilance and discretion, ensuring that athletes and spectators enjoyed the Games without the burden of visible security concerns. We navigated a complex landscape with a blend of expertise and dedication, contributing to an environment where the focus could remain on athletic excellence.
Today, as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games unfold, the legacy of that careful, behind-the-scenes work continues. French security professionals are now at the forefront, applying advanced strategies and technologies to meet new challenges while maintaining the same core values of discretion and effectiveness. Their role is pivotal in balancing the need for safety with the desire for an open, celebratory atmosphere.
This progression from our efforts in Turin to the current operations in Paris highlights a broader evolution in how we approach Large Scale Event Security. The dedication of security teams, past and present, underscores a shared commitment to preserving the integrity of the Games. It’s a testament to how foundational principles of security are adapted and refined, ensuring that each iteration of the Olympics can be celebrated with confidence and joy.
What an inspiring point for some considerations on how the security environment has changed in the last 20 years Alessandro. Yet your experience in leading your comrades to ensure the usual "safe and secure environment" to both athletes and spectators took place in our Country, where main issues have almost always been caused by internal actors (and this forced our police and security forces to develop tools which proved useful also in other contexts, providing them with niche skills which keep them ahead of the curve). France was somewhat different also at that time, due to the different social context, and after two decades it is still different, under many perspectives. This has posed a hard challenge to the whole security community in the Hexagon and I have to admit that their choice of requesting significant support to other Countries surprised me in many ways. First and foremost because the security arrangement put in place is something unprecedented, along with the impact on daily life for a not so short period. Secondly, under the consideration that such a huge response is the match to a threat of the same level, it doesn't matter whether real or perceived, Lastly, since gathering efforts on a common goal is so Olympic!
Adjoint Assistant - NCO External Relations
3 个月The forgotten faces behind the scenes. You have just highlighted all the work that goes on in the background and those that make these events a successful and safe environment for all. Those who deploy in advance, stay during and remain behind long after the last spectators and their families have gone home. Well done!