France's high-speed rail network was sabotaged by coordinated arson attacks, causing major disruptions just hours before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, train operator SNCF reported on Friday.

SNCF confirmed the attacks were designed to paralyze the TGV network, affecting its Atlantic, northern, and eastern lines. "This is a massive attack on a large scale to paralyze the TGV network," SNCF told AFP. While some trains are being diverted, many routes will be canceled, with disruptions expected through the weekend.

The attacks come amid heightened security in Paris for the Olympics, with 300,000 spectators and numerous VIPs expected. The opening ceremony will feature up to 7,500 competitors on a six-kilometer parade down the river Seine, marking the first time a Summer Olympics has opened outside the main stadium.

At Paris’s Montparnasse station, passengers faced delays from 30 minutes to nearly two hours. "Normal traffic is expected to resume on Monday, July 29," read a sign. Jocelyn, a 27-year-old student, said, "We expected it to be chaotic with the ceremony, but not this bad."

The sabotage adds to the challenges of securing major international events and ensuring smooth transportation for visitors and residents.