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OLYMPICS

Paris Olympics security chief resigns over ‘inappropriate’ conduct

Paris Olympics security coordinatorwhas resigned following his suspension for alleged "inappropriate behaviour" towards a woman, officials said Sunday.

Paris Olympics security chief resigns over 'inappropriate' conduct
Olympics rings installed in front of the Paris City Hall. Photo: LUCAS BARIOULET/AFP.

Paris Olympics security coordinator Ziad Khoury has resigned following his suspension for alleged “inappropriate behaviour” towards a woman, officials said Sunday.

Khoury’s functions were “terminated at his request,” according to the official newsletter of the 2024 Games.

Khoury, 53, had been the subject of a complaint following inappropriate remarks that he was alleged to have made during a trip to London in December 2021.

He was suspended on March 21 “as a precautionary measure” pending an administrative investigation, the interior ministry said.

The outcome of this investigation was to have been made public “within a month” but has not yet been disclosed.

According to a source, the inspection commission carrying out the probe judged that there was no reason to report the case to the French justice system “in complete independence and with regard to the elements which were in possession at the time of its conclusions”.

But according to the same source, there were other allegations made against Khoury, who was appointed to the government position in June 2021.

Before taking up the post Khoury had notably managed security during the Euro-2016 football tournament in France.

His successor has not yet been named.

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SPORT

How to follow the Tour de France on French TV (and why you might want to)

The Tour de France is starting earlier than usual this year - here's how to follow the race on TV, and why the coverage is of interest even if you're not a cycling fan.

How to follow the Tour de France on French TV (and why you might want to)

For the first time since the Tour de France began in 1903, it will not finish in or near Paris, but instead in Nice, in order to accommodate the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

The event will also start earlier than usual, with the grand départ scheduled for Saturday, June 29th. Cyclists will cross the finish line on July 21st.

This 2024 race will begin in Florence, Italy.

According to the race website, there “will be eight flat stages, as well as four hilly, seven mountain (with four summit finishes at Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, Plateau de Beille, Isola 2000, Col de la Couillole), two time trials and two rest days.”

This year, participants will climb a total vertical gain of 52,230 meters, crossing a distance of 3,492 kilometres.

Credit: Tour de France official website

How can I watch the race?

If you are in France, then you can enjoy rolling coverage on the free-to-view TV channels of France 2 and France 3. 

It’s not just footage of men on bikes, the TV coverage is famed for its highlighting of the more unknown corners of France so it’s a great way to discover new places to visit. 

For those outside of France, you can go onto the official race website (HERE) to see a listing of all ‘live’ broadcasters in several different countries. 

As much of the race takes place during the day when many are working, you can enjoy recaps each evening at 8.45pm on France 3 via the ‘TLS Tour de France’ show. This looks back on the best moments of the day, giving a summary of that stage and the results, as well as reactions from teams and rider, plus analysis from experts. 

Later on, the Tour de France Femmes, scheduled for August 12th to 18th, will also be broadcast on the France Télévisions website. This is free to watch but you will first need to create an account on the site, you will need a 5-digit French postal code to make an account (eg 75004 if you’re in central Paris).

Why watch the Tour de France?

Each year between 10 and 12 million spectators watch the race widely considered to be the most famous and most difficult cycle challenge, according to Le Figaro.

The Tour de France route changes every year, so viewers not only witness the impressive athleticism of participants, but they also explore France’s different regions. The towns that stage the départs (start of each race day) usually put on a festival often incorporating local traditions, food and drink (for the spectators, not the cyclists).

This year, the Tour de France will go through beautiful landscapes in the Occitanie region, as well as the Alps and across central France.

The race has a fascinating history, and every now and again there are spectacular crashes which will keep you wincing.

There is also a hit Netflix docu-series called ‘Tour de France: Unchained’ that may be a good place to start for the uninitiated.

French vocab

Le maillot jaune – yellow jersey (worn by the winner)

Le grand départ – the race start

Le départ – the start of each stage 

Le peloton – the group of cyclises (literally translated as ‘the pack’)

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