The Olympic Village, designed as a secure haven for the 11,000 athletes competing in Paris, is now embroiled in a troubling wave of thefts, as reported by local French media.
Since athletes and their delegations began moving into the sprawling 2.5-acre complex that spans the areas of Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen, and L’Île-Saint-Denis, at least five theft complaints have surfaced, according to Le Parisien.
On July 28, a rugby player from Japan flagged a theft involving his wedding ring, a necklace, and cash amounting to approximately 3,000 euros. He informed the police that these valuables were taken from his room in the Olympic Village, which had been thoroughly searched while he was away, with no signs of forced entry detected.
In another case, the coach of the Australian hockey team filed a complaint on July 27, reporting that his bank card was stolen and subsequently used fraudulently. This incident also took place in his Olympic Village room during a timeframe from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Without any signs of forced entry, the coach discovered though illegal transactions had been made totaling 1,500 Australian dollars. The investigation has now been handed over to the French judicial police.
The absence of police presence within the Village has made security a more complex issue. Each team is responsible for its own safety and must inform organizers of any incidents, who then relay the information to the nearby police station. This police station—established specifically for the Olympic Games—is situated just 500 feet from the Village entrance, primarily designed for alert responses rather than long-term detainment, though it does contain a detention cell.
In situations involving minor offenses or more serious crimes, the on-site police team can respond promptly to take initial reports and gather statements. However, extensive investigations are hindered by the prohibition of video surveillance in athletes’ living quarters and the hesitance of many residents to offer details.
The wave of robberies plaguing the Village isn’t an isolated occurrence during the Olympics. Recently, Javier Mascherano, head coach of the Argentine Olympic soccer team, revealed that some of his players fell victim to theft right before their debut match on Wednesday.
“Just yesterday (Tuesday), thieves broke into our training facility and stole from us. Thiago Almada lost his belongings, including a watch and some jewelry,” said Mascherano, known for his stints with Liverpool and Barcelona.
According to France’s BFMTV, the estimated value of the stolen possessions is around $54,250, and a formal complaint is anticipated to be filed soon.