By Alex De Jongh
The city of Paris has the Eiffel Tower in the background and the official Olympics Logo sourced by .debbiegiesella.pages.dev
A historical backdrop, a ground-breaking ceremony, and a horse ridden by a metallic Joan of
Arc-inspired character were just a few spectacles on show for the opening ceremony of the
2024 Paris Olympics. The rain would not damper the event, as the Eiffel Tower flooded the
ceremony with an electric light display bright enough to be seen from space. However,
unlike the boats on the River Seine, it was not entirely smooth sailing.
The ongoing efforts to clean up the River Seine in Paris left many wondering about the
organisation of the event. After many events are planned to take place in the historic river.
Not only doubt around the organisation but also the suitability of the river as a host for
many swimming events. The water quality was deemed unsatisfactory after recent tests
showed high levels of pollution. Paris has seen its fair share of terrorist attacks over the years. The past attacks have left a huge question mark surrounding the safety of athletes during the games. Security concerns have left the city no choice but to deploy 30,000 police officers to monitor the games and ensure they run smoothly. This was already under fire on the first day when the rail network was struck by arson attacks.
Adding to the security concerns have been the recent protests in Paris opposing the new
retirement age and protests over the election win over the country’s new left-wing coalition
government. Protesters could be seen taking to the streets, launching flares, burning
buildings, and resisting arrests from the local police. The city has also come under fire for its handling of the social cleansing and homelessness problems. Many people have pointed out the French government’s attempts to relocate the homeless from the country’s capital to other nearby cities before the games start. However, the treatment of this vulnerable group has raised ethical concerns.
While the opening ceremony saw rain on the parade, the rest of the tournament has seen
many visitors endure the sweltering heat. An already an industrial city, Paris has most of the
infrastructure needed to host such event, but it is left without a key piece of equipment,: air
air conditioning. The lack of air conditioning has left many stranded in the high
temperatures of the European city. However, the speedy installation of many air
conditioning systems has raised concerns over the sustainability and commitment of their
climate change goals.
One of the segments of the opening ceremony has garnered much controversy since its
airing. The performance in question is that of a parodied version of Leonardo da Vinci’s
painting portraying the Last Supper. In this version, drag queens can be seen depicting the
characters of the painting. This has caused a mass outcry as it is seen as mocking Christianity
and is regarded as inappropriate for a global audience.
Tatjana Smith holding onto the lane rope after winning gold at the Olympics sourced by :iol.com
In more proudly South African news, Tatjana Smith brings home South Africa’s first gold
medal of the 2024 Paris Olympics. She won gold for her performance in the 100m women’s
breaststroke at 1:05:28, making this the first time a South African has won gold in this event
since 1996. Tatjana Smith retired from international swimming, being the most decorated
South African Olympian, with a medal tally of four gold and two silver medals.
The ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics have so far been a blend of triumph and challenge,
embodying a spirit of resilience and celebration.
On the plus side, the opening ceremony along the Seine River captivated audiences with its artistic grandeur and cultural tributes. Standout performances, like Tatjana Smith's gold medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke, have brought moments of national pride to South Africa and international acclaim. Despite this, the Games have also faced significant issues, including security concerns highlighted by arson attacks on the railway system, logistical challenges in managing large crowds, and ethical debates over the treatment of the homeless population. However, the Olympic Games continue to inspire the world with their showcase of athletic excellence and the unifying power of sport.
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