What are the origins of this fun-filled festive custom?
Before the Paris Olympics even began, the Canadian women’s soccer team was embroiled in a scandal involving drones. During a training exercise for the New Zealand team, a Canadian analyst was caught flying a drone overhead and using it to spy on the team.
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) launched an investigation into the matter and doled out heavy punishments, including a massive fine for Canada Soccer, and one-year bans for three of Canada's coaches, including head coach Bev Priestman (pictured).
In the days leading up to the Paris Olympics, revelations were made that nearly two dozen elite Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned substance before the 2020 Tokyo Games, and they were still permitted to compete. Many other athletes have condemned the decision, which was reinforced after the revelation came to light.
During the performance, dancers and drag queens gathered around a table in what looked like a representation of the painting, which caused an uproar among Christian groups and conservative politicians.
Even Donald Trump made his disdain for the performance known after saying: “I thought that the opening ceremony was a disgrace, actually.” Meanwhile, the ceremony’s DJ, Barbara Butch (pictured), has filed a formal legal complaint after she allegedly received death threats online.
During the men’s soccer match between Argentina and Morocco, fans invaded the pitch and caused a significant delay. The incident involved firecrackers and projectiles being thrown at players, and the game eventually resumed behind closed doors.
Despite the fact that US$1.5 billion had been invested in cleaning Paris’ Seine River, the cleanup effort seemingly proved futile since the water was still egregiously contaminated by the time the 2024 Olympics were underway.
On July 31, triathletes took to the water that had been deemed safe by then. The occasion marked the first time in 124 years that the Seine was deemed safe for an Olympic event.
Although the river was considered safe, Belgium’s Olympic team had to forfeit from the swimming triathlon after one of its triathletes, Claire Michel (pictured), became sick with an E. coli infection thanks to her swim in the Seine on July 31.
Olympians from around the world have spoken out publicly against France’s ruling that prohibits French athletes from wearing hijabs or religious headscarves during certain Olympic events. Athletes have been told that they would not be allowed to participate should they wear the attire.
France’s ban on hijabs for athletes drew criticism from around the globe, and many have questioned not only the sanctity of religious freedom, but also the innate sexism that exists in sports.
Other countries, including Egypt, have refused to bow to France’s outdated ruling. Even the country’s women’s beach volleyball team spoke out against France after competing against Spain in their religious attire.
During a women’s tennis match in Paris, a commentator from the French radio station RMC said: “On the left, there’s Sara Errani, who’s the boss. She does everything: the washing up, the cooking, the mopping up.” The comments were largely seen as sexist.
British women's rugby sevens player Amy Wilson-Hardy has been under investigation recently due to an alleged WhatsApp message sent from the athlete that included racist content. The issue is currently being investigated by the British Olympic Association.
Meanwhile, a group of pro-Palestinian activists are also under investigation after they seemingly used “anti-Semitic gestures” while Israel’s national anthem played before a men’s soccer match against Paraguay.
A judoka athlete from Tajikistan, Nurali Emomali, also refused to give a customary post-match handshake to his Israeli opponent after defeating him in a match on July 28. Despite Israel’s current war being waged in the Middle East, many news agencies condemned the athlete’s decision and called it “unsportsmanlike.”
Shoko Miyata, the captain of Japan’s women’s gymnastics team, allegedly broke the team’s code of conduct by drinking alcohol and smoking. The athlete then withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Even though the budget of the Paris Olympics is nearing US$9 billion, many visiting athletes are experiencing terrible transportation problems. In one example, an Indian boxer had to take a 45-minute bus ride from the Olympic Village to an arena on one of the hottest days of the Games, all without air conditioning.
Even Italian gold medalist Thomas Ceccon experienced problems with the heat. The athlete was spotted taking a nap in a park near the Olympic Village and claimed that the heat and the noise made it near impossible to rest soundly in the designated sleeping area.
The beds designed for the Olympians have also been a source of controversy for the Games this year. Organizers mentioned that the cardboard frames of the beds were meant to be sustainable, since they are made from recycled material.
The mascots for the Paris 2024 Olympics are The Phryges, which are essentially anthropomorphic phrygian caps. Plush toys of the mascots were produced and subsequently advertised as being made by French companies, but the manufacturing was actually being performed in China.
Many Australian athletes have been encouraged not to wear their team uniform when leaving the Olympic Village on their own, after many Australians have been robbed and sexually assaulted in the streets of Paris.
Many athletes have had their valuables stolen from their sleeping quarters in the Olympic Village (pictured), as well as from various training bases. Among the many stolen items from Olympians are credit cards, watches, and even the wedding ring of a Japanese rugby player.
Following the intense warfare taking place in Gaza, many activists took to the stage to condemn Israel’s participation in the Olympic Games. Despite this, the Association continued to allow Israeli athletes to compete.
Sources: (Yahoo News) (CNN) (NPR)
This wasn’t the first time that sexist remarks had been made at the Paris Olympics. A male Eurosport's commentator was also removed from the commentary team after he made sexist comments during the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team event.
Many Olympic athletes have lodged multiple complaints to the Olympic Committee about the hunger that they have experienced while staying in the Village. Indeed, some athletes have considered it heavily inadequate, and Team Great Britain even brought along their own chef to counteract the issue.
The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics was truly full of many noteworthy events, including a first-of-its-kind boat parade. But the event that caused the most controversy was an artistic performance that resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s 'Last Supper.'
Sleep doctors around the world have brought to light the possible disastrous effects that the cardboard beds in the Village would have on athletes. Olympians aren’t getting the sleep they need to perform intensive physical tasks, while the beds (and the heat) are certainly to blame.
Over the decades, the Olympic Games have seen quite a number of controversies, especially as each one comes with its own set of politics. The Paris Games in 2024 are no different, and while some of the controversies that have rocked the event this year will most likely fade away in our memories, there are certainly some scandalous moments that will be spoken of for years to come.
Hopefully this won't be the case for Australian field hockey player Tom Craig. His time at the Olympics came to a less than dignified end when he was kicked out of the Olympic Village following a run-in with French police. The 28-year-old reportedly went on a night out with other athletes after his team was eliminated from the competition in the quarter-finals and was arrested for trying to purchase cocaine. He was held overnight and released in the morning with a criminal warning. Craig gave a statement on August 7, saying, "I made a terrible mistake and I take full responsibility for my actions. My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, the sport, and the Australian Olympic team. I have embarrassed you all and I’m truly sorry.” The Australian Olympic Committee later shared that Craig had lost his Olympic privileges and was banned from the Olympic Village in Paris as a result of the incident.
This is far from being the first scandal of the 2024 Olympics. Curious? Click through this gallery to see what controversial events have shaken the Games’ foundations.
Scandals and controversies at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Australian hockey player kicked out of Olympic Village following cocaine arrest
LIFESTYLE Sports
Over the decades, the Olympic Games have seen quite a number of controversies, especially as each one comes with its own set of politics. The Paris Games in 2024 are no different, and while some of the controversies that have rocked the event this year will most likely fade away in our memories, there are certainly some scandalous moments that will be spoken of for years to come.
Hopefully this won't be the case for Australian field hockey player Tom Craig. His time at the Olympics came to a less than dignified end when he was kicked out of the Olympic Village following a run-in with French police. The 28-year-old reportedly went on a night out with other athletes after his team was eliminated from the competition in the quarter-finals and was arrested for trying to purchase cocaine. He was held overnight and released in the morning with a criminal warning. Craig gave a statement on August 7, saying, "I made a terrible mistake and I take full responsibility for my actions. My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, the sport, and the Australian Olympic team. I have embarrassed you all and I’m truly sorry.” The Australian Olympic Committee later shared that Craig had lost his Olympic privileges and was banned from the Olympic Village in Paris as a result of the incident.
This is far from being the first scandal of the 2024 Olympics. Curious? Click through this gallery to see what controversial events have shaken the Games’ foundations.