Sport

Central Paris locks down for Olympics as athletes arrive

With the opening ceremony just days away, organizers are also putting the finishing touches to the temporary sports stadiums at iconic locations such as the Eiffel Tower, the Invalides or the Place de la Concorde.

Published

1 year ago

July 21, 2024

Ariana News

Thousands of French security forces locked down large parts of central Paris over the past three days, ahead of the hugely complex Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.

The opening parade on July 26 along six kilometers of the river Seine led to the closure of central river-side districts to most vehicles.

Traffic on the city’s boulevards was lighter than usual, with many drivers staying away, while tourist numbers are down and many Paris residents have headed off on holiday to avoid the disruption.

“Our clients are down by 50 percent,” said Renaud, a senior waiter at the famed Deux Magots cafe in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, which is inside the new security perimeter.

“Normally we have people queueing out the door,” he told AFP, gesturing towards the numerous empty seats on the outdoor terrace.

Advertising boards, new artwork and Olympics bunting are going up, while the creation of Olympic VIP traffic lanes this week are the latest change to the capital’s streets.

“The Olympics have brought us nothing but misery,” taxi driver Rabah Ouanes, 53, complained last week, saying traffic had been dreadful since April because of all the construction work.

“I have lots of clients who get in and then abandon their journey when they see they’re not getting anywhere.”

‘SUPER EXCITED’

Elsewhere, the first athletes started arriving late last week at the newly built Olympic Village in the Saint-Ouen northern suburb of the capital which urban planners are hoping to regenerate.

Comprising around 40 different low-rise housing blocs, the complex has been built as a showcase of innovative construction techniques using low-carbon concrete, water recycling and reclaimed building materials.

It was intended to be free of air-conditioning, although Olympic delegations have ordered around 2,500 portable cooling units for their athletes out of fear of high temperatures.

UNPRECEDENTED CEREMONY

Securing the Paris Games remains the biggest priority for French authorities, with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin insisting Wednesday that there was “no credible threat” against them at this stage.

The opening ceremony has been giving senior police officers cold sweats ever since it was announced in 2021 because of the difficulty of protecting so many spectators in such a large, densely packed urban area.

Around 6,000-7,000 athletes are set to sail down the Seine on nearly a hundred barges and river boats.

It will be the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside the main athletics stadium, with up to 500,000 people set to watch in person from stands, on the river banks and from the overlooking apartments.

Anyone wanting to enter the highest-security “grey zone” along both banks of the Seine, such as residents or tourists with hotel reservations in the area, need a security pass in the form of a QR code.

The installation of tens of thousands of metal security barriers all along the route and around the temporary venues has also outraged some Parisians.

“It’s a bit like being in Planet of the Apes,” Aissa Yago, who lives on the Ile Saint Louis in central Paris, told AFP. “All they need to do is throw us some peanuts.”

Martine Dubois, a 74-year-old living in Saint-Germain-des-Pres, said the Olympics were “a real inconvenience”.

The metro stop she uses for work was one of 10 closed for security reasons on Thursday and the barriers “make you feel like you’re living in a prison,” she told AFP.

Fans across Afghanistan meanwhile can tune in to watch the Games on Ariana Television.

Four Afghans included in Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024

Related Topics:#Paris2024 #Paris2024Olympics featured France Olympics Paris Sports

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Sport

Afghanistan wins first-ever gold medal at Islamic Solidarity Games

Published

9 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Ariana News

Mohammad Yousuf Jahangir made history on Friday by securing Afghanistan’s first-ever gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh. The Muay Thai fighter claimed the top spot in the 75 kg category after defeating his Turkish opponent, Mohammad Ali, in the final.

A total of 69 Afghan athletes are competing across 13 sporting disciplines at this year’s Games. Afghanistan’s representatives are participating in athletics (2), boxing (2), futsal (14), ju-jitsu (7), karate (3), muay thai (2), swimming (4), table tennis (2), taekwondo (5), volleyball (12), weightlifting (4), wrestling (9), and wushu (3).

This year marks Afghanistan’s largest-ever delegation at the Islamic Solidarity Games, highlighting renewed national efforts to strengthen sports development and expand the country’s presence in international competitions.

Ariana Television Network (ATN) is serving as Afghanistan’s official broadcaster for the Games, allowing fans nationwide to tune in daily and follow the action live.

The Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 officially opened in Riyadh on Friday, November 7, and will run until November 21. Approximately 3,500 athletes from 57 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation are competing in 21 sports and two para-sports. The event returns to Saudi Arabia after 20 years, with the inaugural Games having been held there in 2005.

Sport

Excitement builds as ATN gears up for live coverage of Afghanistan Champions League

The Afghanistan Champions League is one of the country’s most prestigious football tournaments, featuring top clubs and elite players from across the provinces. The event aims to elevate the standard of Afghan football, inspire young players, and celebrate national unity through sport.

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2025

Ariana News

The countdown has begun! With just nine days left before the kickoff of the Afghanistan Champions League (ACL) Season 5, excitement is growing among football fans across the country.

Ariana Television Network (ATN) has secured exclusive rights to produce, host and broadcast the entire tournament live across Afghanistan, bringing every match, goal, and moment of drama straight to fans’ screens.

This year’s event will kick off on Saturday, November 22 and run for a month.

The draw will meanwhile take place on Sunday evening, November 16, from 7pm Kabul time and will be broadcast and streamed live on Ariana Radio & Television Network (ATN), Ariana News, as well as on Ariana Sport’s YouTube Channel and Facebook Page.

According to organizers, preparations are in full swing for what promises to be a thrilling season. Teams are finalizing their squads, stadiums are being readied, and fans are eagerly awaiting the first whistle. The competition will feature intense matchups, highlighting both established

stars and emerging talents from Afghanistan’s rapidly growing football scene.

An ATN spokesperson said the network is fully prepared to deliver comprehensive live coverage throughout the tournament. “Ariana Television Network is proud to bring the excitement of the Afghanistan Champions League to every corner of the country. Football unites us all, and ATN is committed to showcasing the best of Afghan sport,” the spokesperson said.

The Afghanistan Champions League stands as a symbol of the nation’s resilience and passion for sport — and with only nine days to go, the stage is set for a celebration of skill, teamwork, and national pride, all broadcast live only on Ariana Television.

This year, 10 teams will battle it out for the trophy. The teams are as follows:

Istiqlal Kabul FC
Khurasan Faryab FC
Sorkh Poshan Khafi
Abu Muslim Farah FC
Aino Mina FC
Arman FC
Sarsabz Yashlar FC
Jawanan Pirozi
Sarafan Herat
Ettifaq Khanzada

Sport

Afghanistan crushes India 93–26 at IWBF Asia Oceania Championships

Published

5 days ago

November 10, 2025

Ariana News

Afghanistan’s wheelchair basketball team earned its second consecutive victory at the 2025 IWBF Asia Oceania Championships on Monday, defeating India 93–26.

Earlier, Afghanistan had triumphed over New Zealand in their opening match.

The tournament features men’s teams from 14 countries, including Australia, China, Iran, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.

Afghanistan is set to play Iraq next on Tuesday.