A ‘Seine-Sational’ Yet Disputable Paris Olympics? Unpacking the Olympic Controversies of Paris 2024

The 2024 Paris Olympics has been the centre of attention for the past two weeks as the quadrennial event attracts global attention. Athletes from across the globe gather in a particular city to compete in various disciplines, with the best ones being crowned with gold. The 2024 Summer Games were significant, but controversies also tagged along as some incidents have left the fans and contingent shocked. Let's take a look at some of the significant controversies that took place during the 2024 Paris Games.

Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024 Medal Tally: Which Country Has Won the Most Number of Medals in Paris Games?

From Imane Khelif, Vinesh Phogat to the Last Supper Tableau: Paris Olympics' Top Controversies you need to know

The Disqualification of Vinesh Phogat

Vinesh Phogat made history after she became the first Indian wrestler to reach the final in the Women's 50kg Freestyle Wrestling category. However, the grappler was disqualified after she could not maintain her weight under the specified limit.

A Silver medal was assured for Phogat, but the ousting meant that she would have to go back empty-handed. Despite her team's best efforts, which also included cutting her hair, Vinesh could not gain weight, leading to her disqualification. The Indian grappler has filed an appeal to the CAS for a joint silver medal, and the verdict is yet to be made official.

The Imane Khelif Gender Row

A massive controversy erupted after Italian welterweight boxer Angela Carini gave up on her match against Algeria's Imane Khelif just 46 seconds after the Algerian fighter struck Carini in the nose so hard that it even knocked her chinstrap off, causing her to bleed. After a brief 30-second conversation with her coach, she decided to give up the game and disclosed that Khelif's blows were the hardest she had ever received in her professional career.

The IOC was heavily criticized after as critics called out on them for allowing a boxer to compete in the women's division who has failed multiple gender tests in the past. But Khelif defied the odds and secured the gold medal in her division.

Jordan Chiles stripped off her Bronze Medal

American Gymnast Jordan Chiles has been asked to return her bronze medal, which she won for the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics. The coach's appeal was allegedly made mere seconds after the one-minute allotted time for scoring enquiries, which was the rationale for the termination. The USA Olympic Officials are now challenging the decision, which came from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Also Read: India Makes History in Breaking At Paris Olympics But The Athlete Behind The Success is Not Indian

The Situation of River Seine

Public swimming was banned in Paris' River Seine in 1923 after it was reportedly determined that the water was unsafe. Events like marathon racing and the triathlon took place in the river during the Summer Games. The Paris Administration took the onus to clean up the river, allocating €1.4 billion for the cause. But incessant rains would force sewer water to be discharged into the river, leading to the delay of the races as well. Reportedly, some athletes also fell ill after taking a dip in the river.

The Opening Ceremony Debacle

During the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, the parody of 'The Last Supper' tableau sparked a controversy as the people were left divided regarding the representation of an event which holds a lot of significance among the Christian faith. The use of drag queens incited a lot of backlash, and the París Olympic organizers had to apologize to the ones offended by it.

Athletes Find Worm In Food

English swimmer Adam Peaty who won the silver in 100-metre breaststroke claimed that the food served to the athletes in the games village did not meet the hygiene standards. Peaty also highlighted the fact that the athletes deserved a certain standard of food and that was not being met by the organizers of the Paris Games.

'The catering isn’t good enough for the level the athletes are expected to perform. We need to give the best we possibly can. [In] Tokyo the food was incredible. Rio was incredible. But this time around? There wasn’t enough protein options, long queues, waiting 30 minutes for food because there’s no queueing system. I like my fish and people are finding worms in the fish. It’s just not good enough. The standard, we’re looking at the best of the best in the world, and we’re not feeding them the best', said Peaty