The Olympics are the biggest sporting event in the world. There are wins, losses and of course, controversies, and this year’s Olympics in Paris were certainly not different.
This year there was equal participation of women and male athletes for the first time ever since the Olympics started. But the biggest talking point that started emerging as the Olympics started was, of course, controversies. Beginning with the opening ceremony until the end, everything seemed to be a scandal at the Paris Olympics 2024.
So today at Spheremedium we will be going through the top controversies of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Controversy 1: The Last Supper
Olympics opening ceremonies are meant to celebrate the host country’s culture. But this year the sentiments of many were overshadowed by one of the plays in the opening ceremony, which featured drag queens in a scene that was said to be reminiscent of Leonardo Da Vinci’s famous painting The Last Supper.
This painting is said to be a depiction of the biblical scene of Jesus with his apostles sharing a last meal just before the crucifixion. As previously discussed here on Spheremedium in an article “Faith under Fire: Pairs Olympics 2024 opening ceremony sparks religious s controversy”.
What France did was basically give their spin to it, and what was supposed to be an adaptation turned into a bit of a parody for the purists because the scenes had drag queens performing every character of the play.
This sparked outrage across the world; everyone was fuming at the insensitivity of France. For many, it was an act ridiculing religious sentiments, abusing the Bible, and making a mockery of an iconic scene.
Controversy 2: Lack of facilities
As soon as the Olympics 2024 started, athletes started to complain about the lack of facilities at the game village.
With temperatures soaring to 35 degrees Celsius in the city, the heat became difficult for the athletes to bear at the games village, which had no air conditioning. In accordance with the green theme, instead of air conditioners, geothermal cooling systems have been installed.
Also, cardboard beds wouldn’t let the athletes sleep properly at night, which in turn was affecting their performance.
Coco Gauff, a tennis player, shared her dismay at the logistics, where two bathrooms were being shared between 10 athletes.
Moreover, many athletes, including India’s Medal winner Manu Bakar, have complained about a lack of proper food. The Village prepared to serve 13 million meals, but athletes reported of not having enough protein because Paris opted for more green menus.
Thus, lack of facilities prompted many to leave the village and move to hotels.
Controversy 3: Gender Row
There was a huge gender row amidst all the Olympic action as Algerian boxer Imane Khielf faced allegations of gender change. The IOC faced the heat for allowing her to compete despite being banned by the International Boxing Association. All doubts about her sexuality were put to rest by IOC, and she won the gold as well.
For further reading, go through “Boxing Fight Triggers GENDER Row at The Paris Olympics 2024” at Spheremedium.
Controversy 4: Seine River Water
The iconic Seine River of Paris was selected for a few swimming events, but the river water ran into controversy over it being dirty and not safe for athletes. The concerns resulted in practice sessions getting cancelled.
Controversy 5: Vinesh Phogat’s extra weight
The biggest controversy concerning an athlete came from India after Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the final of the 50 kg freestyle wrestling event as she was found to be overweight by just 100 g.
The countless pleas of the athlete and the IOA didn’t change things, and she was denied a medal after having qualified for it.
For further reading, check out this article, “Vinesh Phogat disqualification; 100 grams short of glory!” on Spheremedium.
Controversy 6: The Chinese Doping Scandal
This controversy was a holdover from the 2020 Summer Games, wherein testing revealed that over 20 members of the Chinese swimming team were confirmed to have used performance-enhancing drugs. Despite this, the athletes did not face repercussions and even won medals that year. 11 of those that tested positive were once again selected for the Olympic team. This scandal developed into an ongoing feud between the world anti-doping agency and its American counterpart, with each accusing the other of sinister cover-ups.
Controversy 7: Removal of judge
The Australian surfing judge was removed from the Olympics because he posed on Instagram with the Australian Olympic surfer and the team coach. Soon the photo blew up on the internet, and the International Surfing Association had to comment that they called it inappropriate. So the judge, Benjamin Lowe, was removed from his post.
Controversy #8: Athlete buying cocaine
Australian hockey player Tom Craig ran into trouble for buying cocaine from a drug dealer in central Paris. He was taken into arrest by the police, but the Australian Olympic Committee later said that he was released without a charge and a warning was given.
Controversy #9: Criminal participating in the Olympics
The Dutch Olympic Committee found itself stranded in scalding hot water for its selection of Steven van de Velda, the 29-year-old Dutch volleyball player, in beach volleyball. Van de Velda was a convicted sex offender reportedly grooming a young British girl and taking advantage of her. He was sentenced to 4 years in prison, yet he was released after just one year, and now he was allowed to play for the Dutch team.
Spectators didn’t let it go easily and booed him right before his opening match. He ended up losing the match to Italy.
Controversy #10: French secularism policies
Athletes representing France were forbidden from wearing religious garments while competing per the French national Olympic and Sports Committee. France have a globally notorious reputation for strictness when it comes specifically to wearing the hijab publicly, and that was no less apparent at this year’s games.
French Sprinter Sonkumba Sylla, claimed to have been blacklisted from the opening ceremony on account of her religious beliefs and commitment to the hijab.
Spectators didn’t let it go easily and booed him right before his opening match. He ended up losing the match to Italy.
FAQs
Controversies is a plural of controversy. When a group of people don’t agree or approve of something, as in argument or discussion. It’s always a public dispute or matter of conflicting opinions.
Vinesh Phogat was disqualified for overweight by 100 grams only.
For the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the IOC banned Russia and Belarus from participating due to their involvement in the Ukraine war. Still, athletes from Russia and Belarus participated, but under a different flag.
Bangladesh, having a population of 170 million people, has never won an Olympic medal.
The flag has no mistake except that it had the wrong side on top.
Useful Links
- Wikipedia – Concerns and controversies at the 2024 Summer Olympics
- Al Jazeera – The victory of Bangladesh’s student movement should not …
- Wikipedia – List of Olympic Games scandals, controversies and incidents
- The Business Insider – 18 of the biggest scandals in Olympic history
- Politico – Pro-Palestinian protesters are backed by a surprising source
- Brookings – Unexpected riots – how civil unrest can take organizations by surprise.
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