A group of retired volunteers and anti-Macron opponents are planning to disrupt the Paris 2024 Olympics by posing as volunteers but not showing up for work.
This group of “un-volunteers” are also considering other ways to disrupt the games such as working slowly, unfurling banners, sabotaging equipment, and lobbying other volunteers.
Anti-Macron Opponents Using the Olympics to Maintain Pressure
These opponents are anti-Macron and are using the Olympics to maintain pressure against the French president, who has faced public anger for raising France’s retirement age from 62 to 64.
The group, led by retired volunteer Bernard Gauvain, has been vocal about their opposition to the Olympics and are hoping to use the international event to further their political agenda.
Protests Against the Olympics Preparations Have Been Small
So far, protests against the Olympic preparations have been small and sporadic, and organizers say polling shows strong support for the games.
Despite this, Gauvain and other “un-volunteers” are hoping to be selected as volunteers so they can disrupt the games. More than 200,000 candidates applied to be volunteers, and the deadline for volunteering is Wednesday.
Paris Games Volunteer Program Director Alexandre Morenon-Condé Remains Confident
Alexandre Morenon-Condé, director of the Paris Games volunteer program, says their screening process will weed out insincere volunteers, and they have backup volunteers who will be delighted to join.
Despite the potential disruption, Morenon-Condé remains confident that the games will be a success and that the spirit of volunteerism will prevail.
Union Representative Bernard Thibault Anticipates No Protests That Would Disrupt the Events
Veteran labor leader Bernard Thibault, who is a union representative on Paris organizers’ executive board, does not anticipate protests that would disrupt the events. Thibault believes that the games will go on as planned and that any disruption will be minimal.
As the Paris 2024 Olympics draw closer, the opposition to the games is becoming more vocal. Retired volunteer Bernard Gauvain and other anti-Macron opponents are planning to disrupt the event, but organizers remain confident that the games will go on as planned. With four million applicants signing up for the latest ticket draw and more than 200,000 candidates applying to be volunteers, it’s clear that there is still strong support for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
