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As of writing, the Paris Olympics is underway, but it seems that, compared to previous versions of the games, there seemed to be a crisis on not only promoting the competitions but also the general preparations and contingencies the French government is facing and the moral integrity of the global athletic system.

Local Unrest

In the months prior to the Olympics, France has been plagued by multiple political and social concerns, especially with police personnel demanding better pay and incentives for working overtime for the games, as well as plans to cleanse the Seine River in order for it to be swimmable.

It could be recalled that officers have demanded extra pay for their involvement as security personnel for the games in January, with France 24 reporting that they have demanded bonuses of up to EUR 1,900 ($2,060) for their services.

However, even if French officials assured Parisians and Olympic athletes that the pollution on the Seine has been neutralized and is clean enough for competitions to be held there, doubts remain.

The Associated Press reported that, despite the city pouring in $1.5 billion to clean the river, officials are still keeping a close eye on water quality as some athletes could be susceptible to higher-than-accepted levels of E.coli or other harmful waterborne bacteria.

It could also be recalled that the country has just finished its snap general election, which was a victory for the country's left-wing bloc.

Food, Accommodation, Security Issues

Aside from security and health concerns, Paris also had to deal with how to properly accommodate and feed competitors and visitors.

Earlier this year, farmers across Europe protested about the European Union's regulations, demanding for it to be simpler and pro-farmer.

Among all European farmers, the French seem to have the most political leverage due to the country's historical culinary reputation.

As the Olympics drew near, it was revealed that athletes have been complaining about their accommodations, transportation problems, as well as having to outsource their food due to the perceived inadequacy of the food offered by the organizers.

It was understood that the French government sought to reduce carbon footprint by deciding to not install air conditioning in the athletes' rooms even if the summer season permitted it.

The Business Standard also reported that theft was also reported during the time when the athletes are settling in before the beginning of the games.

To make things worse, tourism is also down despite the Olympic hype.

The Independent reported that budget airlines serving flights to Paris have been cutting fares in an attempt to consolidate and fill plane seats.

The Express added that Paris has been struggling to attract locals and visitors to watch competitions and stay in the city.

READ NEXT: Olympic Committee Reveals Plans for Integrating AI Into Sports as it Prepares for Paris Games

Blaspheming Christians in Opening Ceremony?

What made things worse is the fact that the opening ceremony of the Paris games included a drag performance that allegedly mocked both Leonardo da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper, which depicted Jesus Christ's final Passover feast with his apostles before his crucifixion, and the Hellenic pantheon, especially the portrayal of Dionysius, the Greek god of wine.

Based on social media responses after the fact, Christians and some Hellenophiles have been incensed with the drag performance.

Organizers of the Paris Olympics eventually apologized over the matter, claiming that there was no intention to "show disrespect to any religious group."

The apology was overwhelmingly criticized by individual Catholic bishops or Catholic episcopal conferences, but the Vatican has yet to respond to the matter.

This handout released by the Olympic Broadcasting Services, shows a view of singer Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Paris 2024 on July 26, 2024 in Paris, France.

(Photo : Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

The only saving grace of the show was the comeback performance of French Canadian singer Celine Dion, who sang from the Eiffel Tower.

NBC reported that this was the first time she performed since she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome in 2022.

Problems on Trans Athletes

As the games progress, it was revealed that several transgender athletes have been beating biological female counterparts.

The matter escalated after Italian boxer Angela Carini was forced to abandon her fight against Algerian opponent Imane Khelif after just 46 seconds into the match.

Reuters reported that Carini was visibly upset with the outcome that she refused to shake Khelif's hand as per custom.

It is understood that Khelif and Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting were cleared to compete in Paris after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped the International Boxing Association (IBA) of its status as the sport's governing body over governance issues.

Both Lin and Filipino boxer Nesthy Petecio, a silver medalist in the Tokyo 2020 games, have been favored to fight the championship match for the 57kg category.

IBA CEO Chris Roberts said that Khelif and Lin have been banned by the IBA, and was disappointed that the IOC allowed them to compete.

In response, the IOC defended its decision to allow the two fighters despite gender issues, saying that both of them were "victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision" by the IBA.

In summary, it remains to be seen if the Paris Olympics will be viewed by sports pundits as a flop in the future, long after the flame was put out.

Tags

France, Paris, Paris Olympics