In the wake of the Paris attacks, the Olympic world proceeded with caution but stuck to schedules. Senior executives from the Paris 2024 Olympic bid team flew to Lausanne, Switzerland, on Wednesday during a week of bid workshops. Los Angeles; Rome; Budapest, Hungary; and Hamburg, Germany, joined as well.
When the Paris attacks occurred, the U.S. Figure Skating team was about 370 miles south, competing at the Bompard Trophy Grand Prix in Bordeaux. There was no known security risk but the International Skating Union canceled the remainder of the event and by Monday, the team was back in the U.S.
“As the ISU season progresses, our teams will be no different than the rest of the world during this unsettling time,” Figure Skating Executive Director David Raith said. “Extra precautions will be taken and individuals will remain vigilant. We are confident that other Grand Prix Series host federations will do all within their power to provide a safe and secure event.”
IOC President Thomas Bach pledged the attacks would not undermine Paris’ bid to host the Games.
“No, the IOC members have a lot of experience … they know that nobody knows how the world will be in nine years and they know that terrorism is not a French or a Parisian problem, that it is a global challenge,” he was quoted as saying. “It does not only concern sports but all the big events and the whole society. You cannot concede victory to the terrorists. We must be united and firm.”
