Australian Olympic Team Warned Against Wearing Uniform in Public in Paris

The Olympic rings are set up at Trocadero plaza that overlooks the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Sept. 14, 2017. (Michel Euler/AP Photo)

The Australian Olympic team has been urged to take care in Paris following the alleged sexual assault of a tourist.

The Olympians are being warned not to wear the uniform outside the Olympic Village, although the athletes have not reported any specific safety concerns to officials at this stage.

A 25-year-old woman was allegedly sexually assaulted by five men in Paris, prompting a police investigation in France ahead of the Olympic Games.

Australian Olympic Chef de Mission Anna Meares recommended athletes travel in groups, noting the tightened security presence in Paris.

“We are encouraging them if they go out of the village, not to go out on their own, not to wear team uniform, just to wear plain clothes,” she told media in a press conference.

“What information we are passing on to our athletes is that security presence is really, really high, and that’s in order for them to be able to act as quickly as possible to keep them safe. We don’t yet have any feedback from our athletes that they have felt unsafe.”

Olympic team officials were briefed on the alleged assault, with Ms. Meares describing it as “horrific” during her press conference.

“Obviously, our hearts go out to the woman involved and we hope she’s being cared for and supported in the trauma she’s experienced. There’s not a lot of detail and information that has come through,” she said.

Ms. Meares highlighted the team has a massive contingency of family and friends coming to Paris for the Olympics.

“We just want to make sure that everyone feels safe and comes home safe,” she added.

The Olympic Games are set to start on July 26 and finish on Aug. 11, while the Paralympic Games will run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.

A spokesperson for the Australian Olympic Committee told The Epoch Times that while teams are recommended to not wear uniforms in public, they are not being held to a curfew.

The Australian Olympic Committee also have “no safety concerns,” the spokesperson said.

They added that the Australian team this year is well prepared for the Olympics, with the third-biggest ever Australian delegation at the games.

2 Test Positive for COVID-19

On July 23, Ms. Meares confirmed an Australian women’s water polo team player was isolated from the rest of the contingent at the Paris Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19.

While precautions have been taken, Ms. Meares said COVID-19 is not being treated any differently from other infections.

“I need to emphasise that we are treating COVID no differently to other bugs like the flu. This is not Tokyo. The athlete is not particularly unwell and they are still training but sleeping in a single room,” Ms. Meares said.

Later that evening, the Australian Olympics Committee confirmed a second player had tested positive to the virus.

‘All Eyes’ Are on Paris

Meanwhile, the everything is now in place for sport to begin and Olympism to be celebrated at Paris 2024, according to the global organising committee.

Excitement is now building ahead of the opening ceremony on July 26, while the stage is set for preliminary sporting competition to start on July 25.

With Sydney eight hours ahead of Paris, Australia will take on Samoa in the Rugby Sevens at 11:30 p.m. Australian eastern standard time on July 24.

Paris Organising Committee President Tony Estanguet said emotions are building up ahead of the games and he hopes the public is ready to watch fantastic performances in the “emblematic city.”

“Only sport, and only the Olympic Games can provide this level of emotion,” he added. 

Further, IOC Paris 2024 Coordination Commission Chair Pierre-Olivier Beckers said he has certainly felt the energy and enthusiasm.

“I’m very confident because I have been impressed with the quality of the teams in the venues. Everyone is committed to ensuring that the finishing touches are implemented, that the venues will be in the best possible condition to host the athletes, the spectators, the press, broadcasters—to host the world,” he said.

Mr. Beckers said the hard work of the past seven years would crystalise in the coming moments and days.

“All eyes are on Paris. This is your moment to shine. These are the Games we have been waiting for, for so long,” he said.

“And while it is only in 20 days that we will be able to define success, for sure, we already know that these Games are paving a new way for the future.”