The Paris Olympics 2024 are in full swing, thrilling us with 13 days of world records and history-making moments! The Games kicked off on July 26 and will run until August 11. Sports fans are glued to the action across 359 medal events in 33 sports. Everyone’s cheering for their favorite athletes, but hold onto your hats—the Olympics are always a magnet for internet drama and political turbulence. So, Join us as we unveil the top 10 viral controversies, casting a shadow over the Paris Olympics!
1. The Opening Ceremony Mayhem
The Paris Olympics 2024 opening ceremony was a whirlwind of blunders. First, a cheeky parody of “The Last Supper” featuring drag performers ruffled feathers among Catholic groups worldwide. Then, the organizers accidentally hoisted the Olympic flag upside down, creating a viral sensation with the jumbled rings. The most politically sensitive mishap occurred when South Korean athletes were mistakenly introduced as North Koreans, sparking swift apologies from the IOC and South Korea’s Sports Ministry. Adding to the chaos, during South Sudan’s basketball debut, organizers played Sudan’s anthem instead of South Sudan’s “South Sudan Oyee.” Still, they quickly corrected the error, winning applause for the right tune. What a wild start!
2. Food Fiasco at the Village
The Paris Olympics faced a food fiasco at the Olympic Village, with athletes grumbling about “raw meat” and missing essentials like eggs and chicken. Andy Anson from the British Olympic Association described the situation as a disaster. Meanwhile, in response to sweltering heat, organizers scrambled to order 2,500 air-conditioning units, while teams from various countries, including Australia, spent over AUD 100,000 to stay cool. The chaos around food and heat turned the Olympics into a rollercoaster!
3. Canadian Women’s Soccer Team Charged with Espionage
In a surprising twist at the Paris Olympics 2024, a Canadian-operated drone was caught sneaking peeks at rivals’ practice sessions just days before a big match. Since using drones to record others without consent is a no-go in France, this mishap stirred up quite a storm. As a result, those involved are now facing a one-year ban from the sport, plus a slew of other consequences for Canada. Talk about a high-flying scandal!
4. Lia Thomas’ Ban: A Controversial CAS Decision
Lia Thomas the transgender swimmer, lost her bid to lift the ban on transgender athletes at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Which means she won’t compete in the Paris Olympics 2024. Thomas, the first transgender NCAA Division I champion, challenged the ban but came up short. Surprisingly, the CAS panel ruled she isn’t eligible for World Aquatics events. Meanwhile, World Aquatics celebrated the decision as a victory for women’s sports and reaffirmed their commitment to fairness and inclusivity.
5. The 2020 Doping Fallout Makes Waves in Paris
A blast from the 2020 Olympics came back to stir up the drama. A test that year revealed that 20 members of the Chinese swimming team had used performance-enhancing drugs. Surprisingly, these athletes faced no consequences and even snagged medals that year. In a twist, 11 made it onto the Olympic team again for the Paris Olympics! Meanwhile, the World Anti-Doping Agency and its American counterpart are locked in a heated feud, each accusing the other of hiding shady secrets.
6. Participation of Steven Val de Velde
The Dutch Olympic Committee landed in hot water when it picked Steven van de Velde for beach volleyball at the Paris Olympics 2024. Van de Velde, a convicted sex offender. He had been found guilty of three offenses that a judge had labeled a “career end” for him. Surprisingly, that didn’t turn out to be the case. In an attempt to smooth things over, the Dutch Volleyball Federation defended van de Velde. Additionally, they called him a reformed individual and an “exemplary professional and human being.” Moreover, to keep the peace, they announced he would be housed separately from the other Dutch Olympians.
7. Football Fury: Extra Time Sparks Pitch Invasion
Team sports are notorious for sparking fiery tempers and hurt pride, and the epic football opening match was no exception. Tensions ran high when fans believed Argentina’s team got an unfair edge with an extra 15 minutes of stoppage time. When Argentina scored in the 16th minute, Moroccan fans, feeling outraged, stormed the pitch in a dramatic display of frustration. After the chaos, the game continued behind closed doors, and Morocco clinched the win after the controversial goal was disqualified.
8. French Secularism Policies
Athletes representing France faced strict rules at the Paris Olympics 2024. No religious garments are allowed while competing for the French national team. Known for its tough stance on wearing the hijab in public, France made this rule crystal clear. Moreover, French sprinter Sukum Basila claimed that she was blacklisted from the opening ceremony simply because of her commitment to wearing the hijab. Talk about a high-stakes fashion faux pas!
9. Swim in the Seine? A Gritty Olympic Challenge
The Seine, a hallmark of France, isn’t known for its crystal-clear waters. Sewage spills into the river, increasing bacteria levels. This raised red flags about hosting the men’s and women’s marathon swimming events. Consequently, concerns about health, hygiene, and cleanliness for athletes bubbled up. Naturally, swimming in the river for the first time in the history of the Olympics was not the brightest idea.
10. Political Tensions at Paris 2024
The Olympics often turn into a stage for political drama, and the 2024 Paris Olympics is no different. With ongoing conflicts in the spotlight, the participation of Israel and Russia—two nations caught up in serious humanitarian issues—has become a hot topic. Since 1995, the International Olympic Committee has recognized Palestine, but after over nine months of war in Gaza, Palestine has sent one of the tiniest teams to Paris. Meanwhile, pro-Palestinian protests popped up frequently, especially during the Israel vs. Mali football opener. On the other hand, Russian and Belarusian athletes compete as neutral individuals, which has stirred up controversy. Critics are buzzing about Russia’s so-called special treatment from the IOC, despite its repeated violations of the Olympic truce.
We wrap up our list. The 2024 Paris Olympics, kicked off with a bumpy start. Organizers have faced a whirlwind of challenges, trying to keep up with the global event demands. Yet, amid the endless mishaps and blunders, the Paris Olympics is still dazzling the world. From athletes’ playful moments to groundbreaking achievements, world records, and historic performances, the excitement never stops. So, let’s keep the spirit high and the enthusiasm alive as the Games continue to dazzle and delight!
