The sound of the sirens from the Gendarmerie vans reverberate around the Parisian streets.
Yet there is much good humour on the pathways, all in the rush to take selfies or pictures of those standing in front of the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe.
The hours are counting down to that flotilla of boats passing down the Seine, carrying close to 7,000 athletes - Paris's way of giving the opening ceremony greater expression.
The flight from Dublin to the French capital was delayed by nearly an hour. Not a surprise given the week that's in it and the amount of air traffic looking to find a spot on the Charles de Gaulle tarmac.
Those wearing Irish rugby jerseys were scattered throughout the Aer Lingus flight, all supporting the men and women's Sevens squads; the latter start their campaign on Sunday.
For the men, it was a case of two visits to Stade de France. As we now know, James Topping's side lost against New Zealand and then Fiji, ending their chances of a medal.
Still for one supporter, he also had the tennis at Roland Garros to look forward to. An example of those looking to make the most of this 'home' Olympics for the Irish.
For those working in the media at the Games, it all becomes official when one's accreditation is validated in a little corner of the departure lounge. In a matter of minutes that photo ID is thrust around one's neck. Out you go into the Parisian sunshine and others are wearing the exact same thing; brief glances are made as you try to figure out the accent. Lots of Australian and American media were out and about.
And then to navigate the Paris transport system. The Réseau Express Régional, abbreviated to RER is relatively straightforward. It's five express train lines and on board various Olympic venues are identified through the stop you must disembark.
One gets to their destination. Present there are those who have covered many Olympiads; others experiencing it for the first time. Getting to grips with the transport apps and locating various venues occupies a lot of conversation amid the expected getting to know you and over eager introductions.
Not present at that moment but who did arrive later was Gerry Kelly, no not the former UTV chat show host, but the RTÉ gymnastic commentator. Gerry's been doing the Olympic gig since 1988, that's ten times in front of the mic. Those of a certain age will remember him presenting a fitness segment on 'Live at 3', a staple of RTÉ daytime viewing back in the 1980s.
Blessed with a great speaking voice, Gerry's words, he hopes, will add colour to Rhys McCleneghan winning a medal on the pommel horse. His commentary also pays tribute to those who have delivered excellence in the so-called minority sports. While appreciating the display of both Cork and Clare in last Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final, he wonders how many of those "supreme athletes" could have blossomed in other sports, and blossomed internationally? He's not the first to ask that question.
Gerry and his co-commentator Colm Murray will be describing McClenaghan's opening routine on the pommel horse on Saturday evening.
I met the pair outside the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), the hub just beyond the Stade de France, in Le Bourget, that houses the world's broadcast media operations. It's a massive complex. To enter, you have to pass through something similar to airport security. Also, in the distance is what looks like two space rockets.
Inside, there is a long corridor with buildings on either side, and yet more buildings at various turn-offs. In Area 4, RTÉ is located. Screens are a plenty with coverage of the Ireland-New Zealand game; Tommy Meskill is preparing to do a piece into the Six-One News from the Arc de Triomphe; Joe Stack is readying himself for a broadcast at the Trocadero, with the Eiffel Tower in full view behind him, to present the sports bulletin.
Broadcast plans are made a week in advance but all very fluid. This Saturday looks particularly busy.
Back in town, the rain starts to fall, not enough precipitation, however, to ease the mugginess.
The bars and restaurants on the boulevards are busy. More selfies and pics force one to zig-zag, prompting a forced apology. You pace more streets and more barriers are in evidence. Movement is restricted ahead of the Seine display.
Armed police are outside the entrance to the hotel where Warner's Brothers Discovery, the Olympics rights-holders, are based. You don't have too look to far to see an arm of the law.
Words circulates on a WhatsApp about a large plume of smoke on the Paris horizon, we're told it's pretty far away, in the direction of Orly Airport. The smoke cleared, and no reports of anything on the wires.
Darkness falls. No competitive action takes place before the opening ceremony. The 'greatest show' has the day and evening to itself. And then 16 days of triumph and no little despair to follow.
Watch the 2024 Olympic Games with 14 hours of televised action on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player each day. Listen to extensive radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1 and 2fm's Game On and follow each moment from Paris on RTÉ.ie, the RTÉ News app and all RTÉ digital platforms. Listen to the daily RTÉ Sport Olympics Podcast.
