Multiple arson attacks on France’s high-speed rail network were reported on Friday morning, just hours ahead of the opening ceremony at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
The rail operator SNCF Voyageurs described the event as “a massive attack on a large scale to paralyze” travel, which was “the victim of several simultaneous, malicious acts overnight,” including fires set to train stations.
As of mid-afternoon stateside, Eastern Standard Time, NBC (which is broadcasting the Games) had curiously spent little of their coverage discussing the historic attacks. This was pointed out by long-time political analyst Jeff Greenfield.
The fires disrupted travel for 250,000 people on Friday morning, according to a report by Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
While the opening ceremony continued as scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Paris time (1:30 p.m. ET), SNCF said the transportation delays and cancellations would last at least through the weekend.
According to an Associated Press, ESPN and Reuters report, the attacks were “predominantly set in pipes containing critical signaling cables for the system known as the TGV.”
“Blazes were reported before dawn near the tracks on three separate lines, causing widespread disruptions,” the report noted. “Another arson attempt, in the south in Vergigny, was thwarted by rail agents who scared off several suspects.”
Prosecutors opened a national investigation following the attacks.
NBC’s Mike Tirico is hosting the network’s coverage of the opening ceremony and is joined by Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and three-time Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and 20-year-old American tennis standout Coco Gauff are serving as Team USA’s flag bearers.