Events like the Olympics require extraordinary safety measures. No wonder that apart from many Polish athletes in Paris, the Polish Armed Forces besides have representatives. They guarantee that no dangerous incidents happen during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The most crucial sports event of the 4 years is simply a immense organizational and logistical challenge. besides on safety issues, due to the fact that thousands of athletes and millions of fans who spend time on tens of arenas must have a sense of security. Therefore, representatives of the French authorities immediately before the start of the XXXIII summertime Olympics reported that they were cooperating with 40 countries to safe the largest sporting event in the world.
Safe Games
Among the many safety forces operating during the Games are besides representatives of the Armed Forces of Poland. Polish Military Quota “Olimp” began his mission in late June. It is liable not only for safety during the Olympic Games, but besides during the 17th summertime Paralympic Games, which will besides be held in the Paris arenas. – The French organization requested support for securing these 2 events. This is simply a immense undertaking, which is why organizers frequently ask for aid from their allies. For no 1 has the power to usage them erstwhile all 4 years for 1 operation. Hence, there were global task forces that care about safety in Paris – explains Colonel Jacek Goryszewski, spokesperson for the Operations Command of the Armed Forces.
In the Polish Continent, stationed in the capital of France, as among the athletes who compete for Olympic medalsThey found the best of the best. The main force is soldiers from the 2nd Mazovian Bomb Squad and representatives of the Military Gendarmerie.
Well prepared
– We chose from over 30 soldiers and service dogs trained in the search for explosives. Eventually, respective military and 8 dogs were given the chance to go to France. They are distinguished specialists who warrant that all tasks will be carried out at the highest level – says Colonel Damian Zalewski, commander of PKW “Olimp”. – Our teams have already worked on the biggest events. any secured planet Youth Days, gained experience in the country and abroad. The criterion of skills and professionalism was the most crucial for us – admits Colonel Zalewski.
Selected preparations for the mission began long before leaving for the capital of France. regular service was intertwined with exercises to aid assemble teams and work out the schematics needed for regular work during the games. – They consisted mainly of searching for (smelling) various explosives in sporting objects of varying size. Therefore, classes took place, among others, at the Legia Warszawa Stadium, the city stadium in Wrocław, but besides at the stadium in Nowy Dwora Mazowiecki – explains Colonel Zalewski. The soldiers besides received training at the Military Centre for Pharmacy and Medical Technology in Celestinovo
Invaluable during the preparations was the experience of Polish soldiers who participated in the Natovian “Distinguished Games” mission during the Olympic Games in Athens, precisely 20 years ago. It was thanks to their instructions that successors could learn the specifics of the work during this kind of sporting event. We knew we weren't going to survey there, we were going to do combat tasks. That's why we've done our best to prepare for this mission. We were aware that even the smallest mistake could cost a lot, hence the preparations had to be decently planned and multifaceted – says the junior Ensign of the Military Gendarmerie (at the request of the National Police Office we do not give names of soldiers serving on the mission), who worked with his erstwhile dog during the XI shift Polish Military Quota in Afghanistan.
In global composition
Every day Poles cooperate with soldiers from respective NATO countries, who besides sent teams with service dogs to Sekwana. The first tasks were carried out jointly in the Olympic village and in places where the most fans gather. – We were checking apartments prepared for athletes. Then the objects on which they compete, until yet the car fleet, which serves everyone, starting with athletes, and on VIPs invited to the games ending. We besides performed tasks in the heart of the French capital, including on the squares of Zgoda, Warsaw or on the Seine Coast – the younger Ensign points out.
– All tasks are performed in smaller groups, in global composition. We usually work with French soldiers with whom we are grouped on a regular basis – says a soldier from the 2nd Mazovia Bomb Squadron. any tasks of the Polish contingent were carried out together with soldiers from the abroad Legion. – They checked the places and corners that indicated our dogs, or those that they could not reach. Interestingly, among the soldiers of the abroad Legion we met respective Poles who chose specified a service – says Colonel Damian Zalewski.
Specificity of service
Polish contingent arrived in France with dogs, mainly Belgian Shepherdswhich can detect explosives. The specificity of their work means that regular tasks must be adapted to many factors, specified as weather. all guide knows best what a peculiar dog can do. In our case we will work differently in the shade, at 20°C and with wind, or in the windless space at 35°C, in full sunlight. That's why we're donating the job. We frequently work in half-hours and take a break. However, there are five–six dogs in the team, so erstwhile they rest, others enter the action – explains the younger Ensign.
But before the Polish soldiers began any action, their four-legged companions needed acclimatization. – We could not immediately proceed with the task. Our dogs had to get utilized to the conditions in France, get utilized to the specificity of climate and smell. It was essential for them to act decently later. So on the place we had training to get them utilized to the place where they would spend the next weeks – explains the soldier from the Military Gendarmerie.
100 meters like 10 kilometres
The Polish contingent has been stationed at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye military base since the beginning of the mission. This is where soldiers hang out all day with their subjects. – Our dogs execute quite a few tasks all day, so they must have a suitable place to rest. They have full-time veterinary care provided here, as described by the elder Corporal. Soldiers admit that the Olympic mission is giving the quadrupeds a hard time. It is not about weather conditions, due to the fact that they are akin to those in Poland. “They’re tired themselves. Often, the dog who searched about a 100-metre flat is as tired as it would run at least 10 km, and specified apartments must search many. all day dogs feel very strongly, as you can see erstwhile they are off duty. Then they fundamentally only sleep in their bunks and do not want to have any fun – says the younger Ensign. Soldiers emphasize that the specificity of their actions makes them on work 24 hours a day. We work in the shift system, sometimes from morning, sometimes from afternoon to late-night hours. In general, however, half the time is spent on combat activities, and another half is spent on dog care, says Colonel Damian Zalewski. The commander of the Polish Military Continent “Olimp” besides admits that soldiers are watching over the appropriate regular tasks. “Every soldier knows his dog best and knows what will be best for him at the moment. He decides whether longer remainder is needed, whether the dog can take up the service and decently fulfil the tasks entrusted to him – explains Colonel Zalewski.
Soldiers do not forget Polish athletes. They admit that after service they turn into fans and compression their thumbs behind the White-Red. – We supply safety to all athletes, but we support Poles. due to our actions, we do not have much chance to personally support our fellow countrymen, but we are happy for all success. However, we are peculiarly happy with the good results of soldiers’ athletes, which in our Olympic squad are not lacking – emphasize unanimously PKW members "Olimp".
