His name is Solo, he is a year and a half old, and he has been on a journey through the most sublime and inaccessible parts of Paris for a week now. His clear mission: to sniff out all the Olympic corners to verify the absence of explosives or potentially dangerous substances. Solo is a Belgian Shepherd and is part of the canine unit of the Civil Guard that has traveled to Paris to reinforce the French security measures for the Olympics starting this Friday in the capital.
Solo has been in Paris for a week, and he already knows French, as he responds to commands in the Gallic language. These commands are given by Fátima Canales Officer of the Civil Guard's canine unit. Canales explains that Solo has participated in detection activities in the Congress Palace, where the international press center is located, in the Grand Palais, one of Paris's most emblematic monuments where judo and fencing competitions will take place. Also at Les Invalides, where archery competitions will be held.
Solo has verified that there is nothing unusual at the Alexandre III Bridge, one of the most symbolic locations where swimming and triathlon competitions will take place, and he will also do so today at the banks of the Seine, where the Games' opening ceremony will be held. It is the most protected and delicate place, with over 300,000 spectators expected. "We are multidisciplinary teams, conducting inspections in areas where competitions will take place," explains Canales.
"The collaboration is good, and the canine language is universal, so our methods are very similar," she states. She looks at Max, the veteran dog. They have had a professional life of about nine years. After that, they either stay with the officers, like Fátima, or they look for foster families.
In Paris, 10 officers have arrived with 10 dogs. They sleep together at the hotel where they are staying, near the French canine training center. They all work in mixed teams: accompanied by French officers, they all work together. They are accompanied by a veterinary team: "This has surprised them here," says the unit's chief.
The security challenge for the Olympics is so significant that France has requested the collaboration of 45 countries, which have sent police officers and military personnel. Spain is the country providing the most reinforcements: 171 police officers and 142 Civil Guards. It is also the country with the most experience in cooperation with the French law enforcement, especially in counterterrorism efforts. "It is a milestone in police cooperation and coordination," says Ángel Siles, chief police inspector in charge of the operation.
They will be present during the Olympic Games, from the 26th to the 11th of August, and during the Paralympics in September. Air protection teams have arrived, as well as the cavalry unit, border control experts, the aforementioned canine unit, and public security officers patrolling the streets and metro. Last week, for example, on their debut day, there was an incident in the metro, and they had to intervene.
"We ran like everyone else," says Miguel Cañellas, lieutenant colonel of the Civil Guard, who mentions that they have all received special training to adapt to the current situation, to handle situations involving firearms or bladed weapons.
They are all highly trained, with extensive experience in sports events, selected based on criteria such as specialization level within their area or language proficiency (French or English). The operation's chief was present at the Rio and London Games: "The security system for these events is similar," he explains.
This support intervention is not improvised. They have been preparing for it since January, as Inspector Siles explains. "There are many years of collaboration in counterterrorism efforts, and we make decisions along the same lines," he says.
One of the officers petting Solo, the rebellious puppy, is named Eduardo and is one of the most experienced in the contingent: he provided reinforcement at the Barcelona Games, Champions League finals, the Seville Expo, and political summits. He has been working for 40 years, with 34 of them in the canine unit. "These Games will be my last duty," he says while petting Max, the veteran dog.