Danish explosives detection dogs and their handlers contribute to security at the Olympics in Paris. Four Danish explosives detection dogs and their handlers have been selected to assist the French police during the Olympic Games in Paris next summer. The Defense Dog Service has announced that these four-legged security experts will search for explosives at key locations, including the Olympic village, press centers, and hotels hosting delegations from various countries.
Kenn, the acting leader of the Defense Dog Service, expresses pride in the mission and emphasizes that this is an opportunity to utilize the skills that both dogs and handlers have trained intensively for. “This is what everyone in the Defense trains for, to go out and use our skills in reality. We are going to France to do what we are good at,” says Kenn.
The Danish dogs, which are of the breeds German Shepherd and Malinois, are known for their outstanding sense of smell, which is up to 100,000 times more sensitive than humans. This means that they can detect even minimal amounts of explosives, which has been a central element in their training in recent months.
The host country France has specifically requested assistance from the Danish experts to maximize security around the event. Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen also expresses his joy at the international cooperation. “I am proud that our skilled employees and dogs can contribute to strengthening security and I am pleased that the Defense can also contribute to international tasks in this way,” he says.
The Olympic Games will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11, and will gather over 10,500 athletes from 206 nations. As a new feature, the opening ceremony will take place on the River Seine, where participants will sail through the city.