Olympics is a festival of sports celebrated throughout the world. It is obvious for such mega event to have some controversies of various scale. Paris Olympics have also seen a few controversies since day one. It started with the opening ceremony only. Here are some notable instances:
Tableau at the Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics featured a tableau that sparked controversy among the Christian community. The scene in question resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” and some individuals felt that it was disrespectful or mocking towards Christianity. The four-hour opening ceremony took place on July 26, 2024, and included various performances and reenactments of historic moments.
In one scene, drag queens and dancers lined a long table, reminiscent of the iconic painting of Jesus Christ and his apostles. The controversy surrounding the tableau arose as some individuals connected the scene with “The Last Supper” and expressed their concerns about the use of religious imagery. Christian groups and individuals felt offended by the portrayal and perceived it as derision or mockery of Christianity. Paris Olympics organizers have apologized to anyone who was offended by the tableau but defended the concept behind it. They clarified that the resemblance to “The Last Supper” was unintentional and not intended to mock or disrespect any religious beliefs
Mathias Christiansen (Denmark) Controversy
Mathias Christiansen, a Danish mixed doubles badminton player, withdrew from the Olympics due to errors in reporting his whereabouts to Anti-Doping Denmark. Mathias Christiansen, part of Denmark’s World No. 11 mixed doubles pair, has officially withdrawn from the Paris Olympics. The decision came after multiple unintentional errors related to anti-doping reporting requirements.
Specifically, Christiansen failed to report his whereabouts as required by Anti-Doping Denmark within the past 12 months. While these reporting errors don’t necessarily imply cheating, they are taken seriously in the fight against doping.
Controversies of Imane Khelif (Algeria) and Lin Yu-ting (Taiwan)
Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting are two boxers who have been involved in a controversy regarding their eligibility to compete in women’s boxing at the Olympics. Both athletes were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing to meet gender eligibility criteria.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) stated that both Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting did not meet the required eligibility criteria to compete in the female category of their respective events. However, the IBA did not specify the exact reasons for their disqualification or whether they underwent testosterone examinations. It is important to note that neither Lin nor Khelif identify as transgender or intersex.
Argentina’s Copa America Celebration
After winning the Copa America, some members of the Argentina national team were filmed participating in a chant that was considered racist and discriminatory towards the French national team and Kylian Mbappe. The video, shared on social media by midfielder Enzo Fernandez, sparked outrage and led to investigations by FIFA and the French Football Federation.
The controversy surrounding the celebration has had an impact on the atmosphere during Argentina’s Olympic matches. The team faced booing from sections of the crowd, and their anthem was booed during their debut in the men’s volleyball tournament.
Criticism of Skimpy Nature:
The official Nike kits for American women competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics have been criticized for being skimpy and treating women as second-class citizens. The swimming costumes and leotards have been described as costumes born of patriarchal forces
The unveiling of the Nike uniforms for Team USA track and field athletes sparked online criticism. A single image of a female bodysuit with a high-cut hip received backlash, with critics deriding it as sexist
Despite all these controversies, The Paris 2024 Olympics have dazzled the world! From the Seine River parade to iconic landmarks, athletes and fans celebrate sports, culture, and timeless charm.
