- French officials hoisted the Olympic flag upside down
- Incident not missed by stunned sports fans
- A similar incident with Cathy Freeman in 2000
For many sports fans, it was a sense of déjà vu as red-faced French officials hoisted the Olympic flag upside down during the opening ceremony.
It is astonishing that a similar scene occurred during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Australian sporting legend Cathy Freeman, who later won gold in the 400 metres at the same venue, was given the honour of lighting the fire.
The problem was that the iconic rings were on the wrong side of her bodysuit.
24 years later, he was living in Paris and the blunder quickly became a topic of conversation on social media.
Those who managed to stay awake [during the Opening Ceremony] “We were treated to an upside-down Olympic flag,” journalist Dan Wetzel tweeted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
“If you’re having a bad day at work, it could be worse. You could be the flag team that raised the Olympic flag upside down during the opening ceremony,” posted another Games fan.
A third commented: ‘I am impressed that France is spending millions on a lavish ceremony that culminates in the almost half-hour hoisting of the Olympic flag by a robot horse over the Seine, the central moment of the event, after which the flag is hoisted upside down.’
It was a sense of déjà vu for many sports fans after French officials were left red-faced when the Olympic flag was raised upside down during the opening ceremony (pictured)
Incredibly, a similar scene played out at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Australian track and field athlete Cathy Freeman (pictured) was given the honour of lighting the cauldron. The problem was that the iconic rings were on the wrong side of her bodysuit.
The Olympic rings lit up beneath the Eiffel Tower where Celine Dion performed at the opening ceremony
Torrential rain in Paris ruined the opening ceremony, with many spectators wearing ponchos and holding umbrellas
Although the performance by French-Canadian singer Celine Dion was incredibly moving, the spectacle was marred by torrential rain, which sent spectators, celebrities, politicians and members of the royal family from all over the world crawling under umbrellas.
France’s bold move to hold the opening ceremony outdoors rather than in a stadium was criticized by many who watched the historic evening, with some even calling it “the worst Olympic opening ceremony ever.”
In what French meteorologists called a “weather disaster”, the athletes had to don plastic ponchos and use umbrellas for protection to keep their spirits up as they were battered by the elements.
Other bizarre elements of the four-hour ceremony included an appearance by French “national pride” Phillippe Katerine, who lay naked and painted blue on a boat, covered with a bowl of fruit.
Pop star Lady Gaga told the crowd after her performance, which was disrupted by sound problems: ‘I am so grateful to be opening the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this year.
‘I also feel honoured that the organising committee of the Olympic Games has asked me to sing such a special French song – a song in honour of the French people and their great history of art, music and theatre.’
Among those in attendance at the opening ceremony were a number of celebrities, including pop star Arianna Grande, tennis legend Serena Williams and Hollywood king Stephen Spielberg.
Also in the audience were Rolling Stone rock icon Mick Jagger, basketball great LeBron James, actress Queen Latifia and rapper Snoop Dogg.
Three-time Olympic medallist and Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet welcomed everyone to the Games, telling the crowd: “Over the next 16 days, you will be the best versions of humanity.
“You remind us that the emotions of sport are a universal language that we all share. Until August 11, we are at your side.
“Your defeats will be our defeats. Your victories will be our victories. Your emotions will be our emotions.”