A new report has warned that the French Government must finalise its security plan for Paris 2024 just as an attacker injured six people during an attack at the city's main train station Gare du Nord ©Getty Images

An audit report presented to the French Parliament has stressed the security plan for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris must be finalised, warning the Opening Ceremony on the River Seine could be a major challenge.

A total of 15 recommendations were outlined to the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, stating there looked to be too much reliance on private security firms to protect the public, while transport links were raised as a concern too.

Details of the report emerged as an attacker wounded six people in an unprovoked blade attack in Paris’ busy Gare du Nord train station this morning before being shot and wounded by police,

The suspect attacked several people, including a police officer, with a "bladed weapon" during the morning rush hour, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told reporters at the scene, flanked by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

He revealed that the unnamed assailant was currently "between life and death" in hospital after being shot in the chest, according to French media. Darmanin thanked the police "for their effective and courageous reaction."

"Without the extremely rapid intervention, there would surely be deaths," said Darmanin, detailing how the suspect was neutralised within one minute of attacking his first victim.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, flanked by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, visited the scene at the Gare du Nord after six people were wounded by an unprovoked attacker, who was shot ©Getty Images
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, flanked by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, visited the scene at the Gare du Nord after six people were wounded by an unprovoked attacker, who was shot ©Getty Images

Pierre Moscovici, the first President of the Court of Auditors warned internal forces such as the police and gendarme must be paid for to ensure all goes successfully at Paris 2024.

He requested this be confirmed by the end of April.

"We're asking that the global security plan is finalised in the first trimester of 2023 so the reinforcement by internal security forces can be planned," said Moscovici, the French Finance Minister and European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs.

"We also recommend that the transport plan be finalised site-by-site.

"It's doable but what the Court wants to say is that it is high time to get into the operational phase. 

"It's not too late but it's tense."

The audit report suggests the enforcement of police and gendarmes at the Olympics ©Getty Images
The audit report suggests the enforcement of police and gendarmes at the Olympics ©Getty Images

The Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympics is expected to be able to host as many as 600,000 people through a ticketed system, with most of these seats situated near the Seine, which will have the Parade of Nations on 160 boats.

Paris 2024 chief of finance and compliance Fabrice Lacroix told Reuters it had issued a tender for private security and it was still too soon to confirm if it would be need public forces.

"If at the end of the day we need public resources, we will support the cost, and it will not cost more than paying for private security," said Lacroix, but did agree with the audit that it would be difficult to find trained security at short notice.

Inflation has also been an issue for the Paris 2024 organisers, which has risen from €3.98 billion (£3.53 billion/$4.28 billion) to €4.38 billion (£3.88 billion/$4.71 billion).

The 2024 Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11 2024, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.