Paris Prepares: Final Countdown to Olympics

As Paris gears up for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, final preparations are underway. The event will involve the largest post-war security operation, with 45,000 police and thousands of soldiers and private security guards. Meanwhile, controversies on anti-doping and a drone spying incident have emerged.

PARIS, July 25 (Reuters) - Paris is making final preparations for the Olympics, ahead of the Opening Ceremony on Friday while early sporting action has continued with archery, handball, rugby sevens, and football teams all in action.

Final preparations are under way for Friday's official Opening Ceremony, set to be the largest post-war security operation. Over 7,000 athletes will sail down the River Seine, an idea initially resisted by police until President Emmanuel Macron pushed for its execution. Security efforts will involve 45,000 police officers, thousands of soldiers, and private security guards to protect the ceremony and events across the city.

In other developments, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee chief has called for a truce between feuding American and global anti-doping bodies. This comes in the wake of a conflict over the handling of a doping case involving 23 Chinese swimmers. The fallout might impact the U.S. hosting future Olympics.

Meanwhile, a spying scandal involves the Canadian women's soccer team, who allegedly used a drone to surveil New Zealand's practice session. FIFA has initiated disciplinary actions, and Canada Soccer has promised an independent review.

Lastly, running brand On introduced a groundbreaking marathon shoe created by a robotic arm that sprays material onto a mold to produce a sock-like upper, priced at $330.

(With inputs from agencies.)