Scandals shake Paris Olympics shortly after launch – Here’s what happened

While the athletic performances at the Paris Olympics have been stellar, the event has been marred by a series of controversies, from spying scandals to cultural clashes, affecting the overall spirit of the games.

Medal count, athletic highlights

Australia leads the medal table at the Paris Olympics with five medals, closely followed by the U.S., France and China. China secured the first gold medal of the Games on Saturday, signaling a strong start.

Rugby sevens shocker: France claimed a historic victory in rugby sevens, ending Fiji’s dominance. Antoine Dupont, the world’s best rugby player, scored two tries and created another, leading France to a 28-7 win over Fiji.

China’s diving aspirations: China’s Chang Yani and Chen Yiwen won the women’s synchronized 3-meter springboard event. The Chinese team aims to sweep all eight diving medals clean after narrowly missing this feat at Tokyo 2020.

Aussie dominance in swimming: Ariarne Titmus of Australia dominated the women’s 400-meter freestyle, earning her the ‘Terminator’ nickname by leading from start to finish.

Historic achievement by Georgian shooter: Georgian shooter Nino Salukvadze became the first woman to compete in 10 Olympic Games, setting a record despite placing 38th in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event. She will compete again in the 25-meter pistol event.

Controversies, scandals

Canadian spying scandal: FIFA sanctioned the Canadian women’s football team, deducting six points and banning three coaches for one year each, following a spying scandal involving drones used to observe New Zealand’s training.

Seine water quality concerns: Tests revealed that Seine River water quality was substandard when Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo took a swim, raising concerns about its suitability for swimming competitions after heavy rains.

Religious outrage over opening ceremony: The French Catholic Church’s conference of bishops condemned the reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ featuring drag queens and a nearly naked Dionysus, calling it a “mockery of Christianity.” Artistic director Thomas Jolly defended the performance, emphasizing its message of love and inclusion.

South Korean misidentification: Organizers issued a deep apology after South Korean athletes were mistakenly introduced as North Koreans during the opening ceremony. South Korea’s government demanded a meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach and plans to file a formal complaint with the French government.

Polish journalist suspension: Poland’s state broadcaster suspended a journalist for describing John Lennon’s “Imagine” as a “vision of communism” during the opening ceremony.

Transport, security issues: Paris has faced significant logistical problems, including coordinated arson attacks on the rail network, leading to delays and cancellations. The police have increased security measures in response.

Hijab ban: France’s ban on hijabs for its athletes has also drawn criticism. The decision, rooted in the country’s secularism laws, has sparked protests, especially among France’s large Muslim community.

Olympic village complaints: The British Olympic team has reported inadequate food quality, prompting them to hire an additional chef.