Paris 2024 Games heads into opening ceremony amid controversies, concerns

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) — Hours before the opening ceremony for Paris 2024 begins, France is still grappling with controversies that threaten to overshadow this year's Olympic Games.

Concerns ranging from public transportation disruptions and security problems at stadiums to political issues, such as France's ban on its Olympic athletes sporting a hijab and calls to ban Israel from competing, are raising questions about the world's largest sports organization.

The lead-up to the Games has been marred by a series of incidents and controversies, both on and off the field. From chaotic football matches to spy drone scandals, the organizers have faced numerous challenges in ensuring a smooth start to the Olympic festivities. These issues have not only tested the preparedness of the host nation but also sparked debates about sportsmanship, security, and cultural sensitivities.

Adding to the complexity, France finds itself navigating delicate political waters as it hosts the world's premier sporting event. The country's stance on secularism has clashed with religious expression in sports, while global conflicts have spilled over into calls for boycotts and protests. As the Games begin, officials are working to address these concerns while maintaining the spirit of international cooperation and athletic excellence that the Olympics represent.

- Chaotic start to opening football game

The opening match of the 2024 Olympics' football tournament kicked off Wednesday between Morocco and Argentina — two days before the Games formally began — with crowds of fans from both sides at the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in St. Etienne.

Chaos ensued minutes before the final whistle, when Moroccan fans stormed the field, hurling bottles and other debris in protest of a late goal by Argentina's Cristian Medina deep into injury time, leading to a near-two-hour pause in the game.

Fans from both nations were forced to evacuate the stadium, though the players eventually returned for the final three minutes.

Medina's goal was later overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR), resulting in a 2-1 loss for Argentina and the game eventually ending with empty stands.

"This isn't a neighborhood tournament, these are the Olympic Games," Argentina's head coach Javier Mascherano said after the incident, which he called a "scandal."

"The match was suspended, Morocco did not want to play," he added.

FIFA announced it had launched an investigation into potential breaches of its regulations, while the organizers of the Paris Olympics pledged to enhance security.

- Hijab ban for French athletes

In another matter that has sparked debate in France, authorities barred women athletes competing for the host country from wearing the hijab, or Muslim headscarf, during the Games.

In September, then-French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera said French athletes would be prohibited from wearing the hijab during the Olympics.

The decision was met with significant criticism and protests, particularly given that France is home to one of Europe’s largest Muslim communities.

French officials have held that the country's Olympic team would be considered civil servants and must therefore abide by strict secularism rules.

Sprinter Sounkamba Sylla will reportedly be wearing a cap instead of a hijab to avoid being barred from the Games' opening ceremony on Friday.

- Spy drone scandal at training

On Monday, staff from New Zealand's women's football team noticed a drone hovering over their training session in the southeastern city of St. Etienne ahead of their opening game against Canada.

It was subsequently confirmed by the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) that a staff member from the country used a drone to record the opposing team during practice.

Two Canadian staffers were sent home and head coach Bev Priestman was removed from the Paris Games.

The COC said it "stands for fair-play and we are shocked and disappointed," and offered "heartfelt apologies" to the New Zealand football team and its Olympic Committee.

After the spying scandal, the Canadian team defeated New Zealand 2-1 in a Thursday group match at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium.

- Trains disrupted due to coordinated arson attacks

Outside the pitch, France's state-owned rail company SNCF reported a massive attack aimed at crippling the high-speed network, leading to delays and cancellations.

The company said a series of coordinated arson attacks on the infrastructure of SNCF, which is France's largest rail operator, resulted in numerous trains being re-routed or canceled on Friday morning.

SNCF urged travelers to postpone their journeys and avoid going to the station due to the attack, which disrupted transportation on the opening day of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Paris' police chief Laurent Nunez vowed to beef up security at Paris train stations following overnight attacks, which he told broadcaster Franceinfo had left large crowds of travelers stranded.

- Calls to ban Israeli athletes

The Olympics will also be unfolding against the backdrop of Israel's ongoing offensive on Gaza, which has resulted in over 39,000 deaths since Oct. 7.

Palestinians and pro-Palestine protesters across the world have urged the IOC to exclude Israel from the Olympics.

Many argue that Israel's actions against Palestinians disqualify it from competing in the Games, comparing it to South Africa, which was barred from the Olympics from 1964 to 1988 over its policy of apartheid.

For the opening ceremony, Israel has chosen Peter Paltchik to carry its flag.

Deepening the controversy, Paltchik had previously signed artillery shells dropped on Gaza and posted on X, "From me to you with pleasure," alongside a photo of the munitions.

- Complaints about Olympic Village canteen

There have also been issues with France's reception of foreign athletes, with Great Britain accusing the Olympic organizers of serving raw meat and shortages in food, prompting them to bring in an additional chef at their own alternative restaurant.

In their extensive preparations, the British Olympic Association had engaged an entire catering college in nearby Clichy as a performance base.

British athletes avoid the village food in favor of meals prepared by their own chefs.

"At the beginning of every Games there's usually two or three issues — the big one this time is the food in the village, which is not adequate," Team GB chief executive Andy Anson said.

"There are not enough of certain foods: eggs, chicken, certain carbohydrates, and then there is the quality of the food, with raw meat being served to athletes. They have got to improve it over the next couple of days dramatically."