FRANCE SAYS IT AVERTED AN ATTEMPT TARGETING THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN ST ETIENNE.

French security officials arrested an 18-year-old Chechen earlier this month in Saint-Etienne on suspicion of organizing an attack on the city’s football stadium during this summer’s Olympic Games, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.

Less than two months before the Paris 2024 Olympics, France is at its maximum security alert.

“The first elements show he was actively planning an attack against the Geoffroy Guichard stadium (Saint-Etienne) during the football matches that will take place there during the Olympic Games” Darmanin stated in a statement.

The suspect was “inspired by Islamist” beliefs, he claimed.

“He wanted to attack spectators, but also security forces and die as a martyr,” Darmanin stated. According to the statement, this is the first time an attack planned for the Summer Olympics has been foiled.