Journalists were invited yesterday to discover the Nice fan zone and its security setup for Euro 2016, in the presence of the mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi.
Under the Nice sun, Christian Estrosi and the city of Nice had arranged a meeting with the press to unveil the behind-the-scenes of the Euro 2016 fan zone, “the most secure of the ten fan zones in the country”, according to the mayor of Nice.
In front of the main entrance of the fan zone and a few gathered onlookers, the mayor, smiling, engaged in the exercise of entering the area reserved for supporters. He first underwent a security pat-down by an officer, under the amused gaze of prefect Adolphe Colrat, the first deputy mayor Philippe Pradal, and Josรฉ Cobos, a former OGC Nice player.
Before the security gates, which the city is “the only one” to implement, the mayor reaffirms that “his” fan zone is the safest in France. Indeed, 14 security gates have been installed at the main entrance, plus three additional ones at the entrance of the Thรฉรขtre de Verdure. 124 private security agents will also strengthen the teams of the National Police as well as the Municipal Police.
The Nice fan zone looks impressive. The first screen, installed in Albert 1er garden, is already operational. Audio and visual announcements can already be heard. On the area intended in front of the screen, volunteers, municipal agents, police officers, military personnel, firefighters, and security agents are gathered, ready to be greeted by the mayor and his team.
Christian Estrosi wishes to salute “the ambassadors of the city”, and convey a message: “I want to express my gratitude. You are people who have chosen to serve your country; your experience, courage, clarity, and commitment will allow France to present the best image of itself”.
The mayor of Nice recalls that “a few months after the Paris attacks, the city had already hosted the Carnival”, an event placed under the same level of threat. Today, Euro 2016 is a “great celebration” event.
Prefect Adolphe Colrat emphasized that the city of Nice had “a very high level of requirements. Enormous resources have been put in place”. The fan zone is the culmination of a year of work with the Ministry of the Interior. Out of the ten cities that will have a fan zone, Nice is “the one that has gone the furthest”: “we had a specification from UEFA, which we adhered to, but we pushed it further on security. This includes, notably, the security gates at the entrances of the zone”.
Thus, a great month of competition is opening for the city. “Every day, we will have a security meeting”, promises Adolphe Colrat. “We can be confident. We have all the necessary means, whether at the stadium, the city, the airport, or even the train stations”.
