French trains sabotaged ahead of Paris Olympics opening

The French state railway company SNCF on Friday said that several high speed trains were diverted or canceled after a series of arson attacks. The arsonists set cables on fire along three lines and damaged several facilities, SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou said. The company encouraged travelers to postpone their trips and said that tickets could be exchanged or refunded. Authorities were searching for the arsonists Friday morning but did not immediately announce any arrests. Farandou said the disruption will last until at least the end of the weekend.

As many as 800,000 travelers could be affected, Transportation Minister Patrice Vergriete told French broadcaster TF1.  It isnot clear if the attacks are connected to the opening ceremony for the Olympic games, he said. The Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into the incidents and said those responsible could face long prison sentences.

Have there been any other protests leading up to the games? Staff went on strike Thursday at the Paris hotel that is hosting members of the International Olympic Committee, according to the French union CGT. The union said employees were demanding a pay increase after a fifth round of negotiations failed Wednesday. Hotel management on Thursday said negotiations were underway and would not affect the hotel operations.

What other controversies are surrounding the games? Paris officials have planned to host two swimming events in the Seine river, although for decades it has been considered too polluted for swimming. Swimming in the river was banned for over a century. The city spent about $1.5 billion to clean up the river, according to National Geographic. French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera on July 13 swam in the river to show it is clean enough for competition, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo did the same on July 17.

Dig deeper: Read Catherine Gripp’s WORLD Tour report on this year's emphasis on the inclusion of LGBTQ Olympic athletes and how that will affect fairness at the competition.