Eiffel Tower evacuated just hours before Olympic closing ceremony in unusual incident
A man was seen climbing the Eiffel Tower just hours before the Olympics closing ceremony in Paris tonight with police evacuating the area.
Eiffel Tower evacuated after man spotted climbing landmark
The Eiffel Tower had to be evacuated after a shirtless man was spotted scaling the iconic Parisian landmark just hours before the Olympics closing ceremony today (Sunday). The daredevil was seen climbing the 1,083ft (330 metres) tall tower this afternoon, with his starting point unclear.
He was noticed just above the Olympic rings that adorn the second section of the monument, slightly above the first viewing deck.
At around 3pm, police ushered visitors away from the area, with some briefly trapped on the second floor before being allowed to leave about half-an-hour later. Entry to the tower has been closed off.
Video footage on social media showed the man just above the blue Olympic ring on the tower.
The Eiffel Tower, which was a focal point during the opening ceremony featuring Celine Dion, is not expected to play a part in the closing ceremony which is set to kick off at Stade de France in Saint-Denis at 8pm UK time. It will finish at around 10.30pm.
Billie Eilish, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snoop Dogg will all feature in the closing ceremony, as too could Hollywood star Tom Cruise. That's with Paris handing over the baton to Los Angeles for 2028.
The incident at the Eiffel Tower comes as the Games draw to a close and security services shift their attention to the closing ceremony.
Over 30,000 police officers were deployed around Paris on Sunday, with Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin stating that around 3,000 officers would be mobilised around the Stade de France.
An additional 20,000 police troops and other security personnel will be on duty late into Sunday night to ensure safety on the final day of the Olympics.
Team GB ended the competition seventh in the final medal table with 14 golds, 22 silvers and 29 bronzes. China topped the standings with 40 golds.
Emma Finucane became the first British woman in 60 years to win three medals at a single Olympics with her bronze in the individual sprint on Sunday.
The 21-year-old reigning world champion added to her team sprint gold and keirin bronze. "Honestly, it's just like a dream," said Finucane. "Obviously, I would have loved to win that gold medal, but gold and two bronzes is more than I could have dreamed of.
"This week's been such a roller coaster. I wish I'd got a book for someone to tell me how to get through an Olympic week. I've cried. I've had happy tears. I've been exhausted and to get up every day and keep fighting, I'm just really proud of myself.
"I gave everything for that bronze medal. And I just can't believe it's over. I'm pretty sad, but it's just been such a whirlwind of a week."
