The Paris Olympics were a stunning success that captivated the world. China delivered its best Summer Games since 2008, winning the most gold medals along with the United States and missing out on first place only in the number of silver medals.
However, Paris 2024 also had its share of controversy. Even before the Games officially began, organizers were grappling with the fallout from the scandalous “Last Supper.” A dispute over gender eligibility tarnished the ring’s shine, and speculation arose about whether the Seine was safe enough to host the triathlons.
This was followed by a points shock in gymnastics and the athletes complained about the overly environmentally friendly Olympic Village.
Here we list some of the controversies that accompanied the 2024 Games.
Backlash at the opening ceremony
Drag queens and transgender dancers who reenacted Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26 outraged religious conservatives around the world.
Critics called it “blasphemous.” Regional sponsors like C Spire pulled their Olympic ads. The Paris Olympic Committee apologized and said it wanted to promote tolerance, not contempt.
Gender issues
Boxers Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei, both embroiled in gender disputes, won gold in the women’s 66 kg and 57 kg finals respectively on August 10 and 11. Their victories reignited the debate over the eligibility of transgender athletes to compete in the Olympic Games.
The IOC confirmed their participation based on their gender identity in their passports, and IOC President Thomas Bach affirmed their right to compete as women, despite objections from the International Boxing Federation.
Declining interest in hosting games
The Paris Games, considered the greenest and most sustainable Olympics, cost 11.8 billion euros ($12.9 billion), almost double the original budget of 6.6 billion euros. French economic research group Asterès claimed in a report that a financial imbalance is preventing countries from bidding for the Olympics. The IOC is concerned about future bids, with only Paris and Los Angeles vying for the 2024 and 2028 Games.
Dissatisfaction with the facilities
Athletes criticized the cost-cutting in the Olympic Village, which resulted from the Paris Olympics’ focus on the environment. There were complaints about a lack of air conditioning, cardboard beds and inadequate food. Six South Korean participants opted to stay in hotels due to transportation problems and a lack of air-conditioned buses.
Cardboard beds are used in the Olympic Village.
Double standards
China’s anti-doping authorities accused the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) of double standards in its handling of Erriyon Knighton’s doping case on August 6. The next day, WADA condemned USADA’s actions as a violation of global anti-doping standards and a threat to competition fairness. At a press conference on August 9, IOC President Thomas Bach confirmed WADA’s doping authority.
Medal controversy
After an appeal, American gymnast Jordan Chiles won the bronze medal in the women’s floor exercise final against Romania’s Ana Bărbosu, sparking controversy. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu protested on social media and abstained from the Olympics closing ceremony. The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld Romania’s appeal on August 10 and could reinstate Bărbosu’s bronze medal.
Concerns about the quality of the Seine
After competing in the women’s triathlon on July 31, Belgian Claire Michel felt unwell. The Belgian Olympic Committee cancelled her participation in the mixed relay on August 5, citing dissatisfaction with the organization of the event and the water quality of the Seine.
Belgian Claire Michel felt unwell after participating in the women’s triathlon.
Norwegian and Canadian triathletes also fell ill after the race. The Olympic Committee did not directly link the health problems to the river, but the incident sparked discussions about the Seine’s suitability for the Olympics.
Dutch athlete booed, applauded
Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl in 2016, was both booed and applauded at the Games. The Dutch Olympic Committee defended his participation, saying that van de Velde had served his sentence and met all the requirements to take part. However, UK-based charity Rape Crisis England & Wales called his participation “shocking”. Van de Velde played four games, with each serve being booed and whistled by the crowd.
Athletes turn to adult platforms for financial support
Olympic athletes such as women’s pole vault bronze medalist Alysha Newman, men’s 10m platform bronze medalist Noah Williams and men’s synchronized 3m platform bronze medalist Jack Laugher raised money by selling explicit content on adult platform OnlyFans, highlighting the financial difficulties many athletes face.
The Associated Press reported in a report that most athletes are left to fend for themselves. To keep their Olympic dreams alive, some of the athletes began monetizing their photos on adult content portals. International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams noted: “I would assume that athletes, like all citizens, are allowed to do what they can.”
(The authors are students of the School of Journalism and Communication and the School of French and Francophone Studies, Shanghai International Studies University.)
