Mr Bob Marley’s 1979 classic So Much Trouble in the World pretty much sums up human existence in every age.

So we are not surprised that, even as organisers made last-minute preparations for Friday’s colourful, official launch of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, an attack by saboteurs caused serious disruptions.

News reports say arson and vandalism targeting France’s high speed rail network led to travel chaos across the country.

Thankfully, the opening ceremony in Paris, featuring thousands of athletes parading by boat down the Seine, went well from all accounts.

It was unclear up to late Friday as to what motivated the saboteurs. However, there is no shortage of fanatics with causes; be they part of mainstream or fringe movements.

Indeed, yesterday’s attack on the French rail network triggered thoughts of the potential for much, much worse.

Inevitably, memories were cast back to the so-called Munich Massacre at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.

Back then armed terrorists from the Black September Movement, a so-called splinter of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), ended up killing 11 Israeli athletes and coaches following a failed kidnapping attempt and botched rescue mission.

Others, including a policeman and several Palestinian gunmen, also died.

In today’s world, political instability, wars, and rumours of war, are casting long shadows just as was the case back in 1972.

Let’s consider that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in breach of international law and the Olympic Charter, has led to their exclusion from the Paris Games.

And while Israel is well represented at these Olympics, there is strong opposition led by Iran because of alleged genocide by the Israeli army against civilians in Gaza.

For those unaware, the troubles in Gaza are a continuation of hostilities involving Israel and Palestinians dating back nearly eight decades — embracing the Munich tragedy of 1972.

Today we are comforted by the near-unprecedented level of security in place in Paris and wider France to protect thousands of competitors and support staff from 205 international delegations and their supporters.

News reports say that ahead of Friday’s ceremony, 45,000 police, more than 10,000 soldiers, alongside other specialised units, manned the centre of Paris.

In excess of 1,000 police personnel were said to have been on duty in and around the stadium as Israel and Mali played to a 1-1 draw in Olympic football on Wednesday.

Such high levels of security, and the clear determination by the French to ensure safety, trigger optimism, despite Friday morning’s attack on rail services.

It will help competitors — regardless of nationality or sporting discipline — to focus on performance without undue distraction by anyone or anything.

All should be following the example of Jamaica’s 400-metre medal hopeful, Miss Nickisha Pryce.

Said she, as told to us by our reporter in Paris: “There is no pressure on me going into the Olympics, because I am just doing me…”

That’s as it should be.

Even as we dream of excellence from Jamaica’s ambassadors in Paris, we hope for all that’s good for these Games, the Olympic movement, and sport as a whole.