On almost every street corner in Paris there is a police officer waiting. It is both unnerving and comforting as the city gets set to host the 2024 Olympic games.
The opening ceremony creates an unprecedented security challenge. For the first time it won’t take place inside a stadium but instead dozens of boats will carry athletes and performers for around 6km on the Seine.
The balance needs to be found between perfect security and creating a celebratory atmosphere.
Thousands of sport stars have already started streaming into France, including more than 60 New Zealand athletes.
"The village is really starting to come alive. It’s welcomed 2500 people on the first day and another 2500 on the second… it’s a great vibe," said New Zealand Chef de Mission Nigel Avery.
They’ve been greeted by a haka and gifted a pounamu, but not all athletes had a smooth arrival, with some delayed due to last week’s global IT outage which affected thousands of flights.
“And I think someone left an unaccompanied bag,” said Avery, “[But] that’s travel, right".
"Most of them on arrival, they go straight to the dining hall to find something to eat, and now they’re just getting the lay of the land.”
For some athletes it will be their first time, but for 2016 silver medal canoeist, Luuka Jones, it’ll be her fifth Olympic games.
She said being with Kiwi athletes is always very special.
“You’re more than just yourself and the sport. You’re part of something so much bigger and to wear the fern on your chest and represent New Zealand is so special,” she said.
Football and rugby sevens are the first sports to kick off and begin before the opening ceremony.
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