S Poddar
Earlier today, the sudden appearance of a man climbing up the Eiffel Tower caused an immediate evacuation from the area just hours before the Paris Olympics’ closing ceremony. The shirtless man was seen near the Olympic rings adorning the second section of the iconic Parisian monument, just above the first viewing deck.
Videos shared on social media showed the climber making his way up the 330-meter tower with no safety ropes. In one video, the man jokes with bystanders, commenting on the weather, grinning, and saying, “Bloody warm, innit?” His casual demeanor added only to the astonishment of onlookers who watched in disbelief as he scaled one of the world’s most famous landmarks.
The French police responded in real-time to counter the climb and arrested the climber. Even though it is not known exactly at what level he started climbing from, the situation was brought under control by authorities without incident and no one was harmed around. It caused a partial lockdown on the second floor of the tower, with some visitors held there for some time before they were allowed to leave 30 minutes later.
The Eiffel Tower is an emblem of Paris and has been center-stage in the Olympic celebrations, hosting part of the opening ceremony. It was dramatic—this towering structure—with Celine Dion serenading the city from part of its viewing platform during the opening event. However, it is not expected to feature in the closing ceremony, which is scheduled to take place later today at Stade de France.
This surprise comes at a time when Paris is in the glare of global eyes due to the very prestigious Olympic Games hosting by the city. The Eiffel Tower, that eternal attraction for daredevils and thrill seekers, yet again became the platform of a daring and dangerous act. Despite the disruption, the incident was handled efficiently enough to allow the closing ceremony preparations to go on as expected.
The incident puts everyone on notice of the unpredictability of live events, particularly in a city as vibrant and full of surprises as Paris, as the Olympics come to an end. Much as his motives were unclear, the climber has undoubtedly contributed a new chapter to the story of the 2024 Summer Games.
