OLYMPICS
Why did police raid Paris 2024 Olympics HQ?
Corruption claims have been circulating around the organising committee for many years, and searches have now been made.
On Tuesday, the police conducted searches at the headquarters of both the Paris 2024 Olympics organizing committee and its infrastructure partner. These searches were part of an ongoing investigation into accusations of embezzlement of public funds and favoritism, according to prosecutors.
Corruption probe in 2024 Olympics
In the midst of a preliminary investigation initiated in 2017, the national financial prosecutor’s office (PNF) disclosed that the headquarters of Paris 2024 were subject to a raid. This investigation primarily focuses on the contracts entered into by the organizing committee of the Summer Games. Furthermore, the headquarters of SOLIDEO, the public entity entrusted with the responsibility of delivering Olympic and Paralympic infrastructure, were also undergoing searches.
This separate preliminary investigation stems from an audit conducted by the French Anti-Corruption Agency in 2022, as stated by the PNF.
“A search is currently under way at the headquarters of the Organising Committee,” Paris 2024 said in a statement. “Paris 2024 is cooperating fully with the investigators to facilitate their inquiries.”
“We do not have anything else to share at the moment,” a spokesperson later said.
The Olympic Games will be held from 26 July - 11 August 2024 with the Paralympic Games taking place from 28 August - 6 September.