A Dynamic Start to the Paris 2024 Olympics: Highlights from the First Week

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games kicked off on July 26th with a spectacular opening ceremony, marking the start of two weeks of world-class athletic competition. The first week of the Games has already delivered some unforgettable moments and record-breaking performances. Let’s take a closer look at some of the highlights from the first seven days of the Paris Olympics.

The Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony on July 26th was a dazzling display of French culture, history, and creativity. The event featured a parade of athletes from over 200 countries, a performance by French singer Stromae, and a stunning light show illuminating the Seine river and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum. The ceremony celebrated France’s rich artistic heritage and set the tone for an Olympics that aims to be a global cultural festival as well as a sporting event.

Calamity of Errors and Controversies

The Paris 2024 Olympics, poised to be a dazzling showcase of sport and culture, has instead become a whirlwind of controversy and blunders that have left organizers scrambling to salvage their reputation. From the jaw-dropping moment when the Olympic flag was raised upside down — an embarrassing faux pas that quickly went viral — to the diplomatic disaster of misidentifying South Korean athletes as North Korean, the Games have been marred by a series of cringe-worthy errors. Adding fuel to the fire, the official Olympics Instagram account misspelled the name of South Korea’s first gold medalist, Oh Sang-uk, further igniting outrage among netizens. As if that weren’t enough, attendees have faced food shortages at venues, with reports of raw meat being served in the athletes’ village, raising serious concerns about safety and quality.

But the drama didn’t end there. The opening ceremony, intended as a celebration of diversity, sparked backlash for a segment perceived as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” featuring drag queens and a naked singer dressed as Dionysus. This artistic choice, defended by director Thomas Jolly as a tribute to inclusivity, was met with accusations of disrespect from religious leaders and viewers alike. Coupled with viral videos of unpartitioned male urinals in the streets of Paris, these blunders have overshadowed the spirit of the Games, highlighting the immense challenges of hosting such a monumental event. As the world watches, the Paris 2024 organizers must navigate this tumultuous landscape, striving to restore faith in their ability to deliver an unforgettable Olympic experience.

Olympic Highlights: Key Moments

1. Surfing Debut:

- Surfing made its Olympic debut at Teahupo’o in Tahiti.

- Italo Ferreira (Brazil) and Carissa Moore (USA) won the first-ever gold medals.

- The event showcased athletes’ adaptability to the ocean’s unpredictability over four days.

2. Skateboarding Sensation:

- 15-year-old Sky Brown won bronze in women’s park skateboarding.

- She became Britain’s youngest Olympic medalist.

- Her performance highlighted skateboarding’s youth appeal.

3. Simone Biles’ Comeback:

- American gymnast Simone Biles returned after a break post-Tokyo 2020.

- She won bronze in the balance beam, marking her seventh Olympic medal.

- Biles’ comeback inspired fans with her resilience and talent.

4. Katie Ledecky’s Dominance:

- Katie Ledecky added two golds in the 800m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay.

- Her 800m victory was her fifth consecutive Olympic title in the event.

- Ledecky now has 15 Olympic medals, underscoring her legendary status.

The First Week in Numbers

- 10 world records broken across various sports

- 30 medals won by the USA, the most of any country

- 3 medals won by 15-year-old Sky Brown, the youngest British Olympic medalist

- 1 million tickets sold for the first week of competition

- 34.5 Million viewers tuned in to watch the opening ceremony

Major Countries and Their Achievements in the First Week of the Paris 2024 Olympics

As the Paris 2024 Olympics begin, the United States leads the medal tally with 30 medals, excelling in swimming and gymnastics, thanks to stars like Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles. France ranks fourth with 26 medals, showcasing strength in canoe slalom and mountain biking. China follows with 19 medals, excelling in diving and weightlifting, while Japan sits in third with 15 medals, highlighted by successes in judo and gymnastics.

India has started its campaign with a bronze in shooting by Manu Bhaker, aiming to surpass its Tokyo 2020 medal count with competitors like Neeraj Chopra and P.V. Sindhu. Australia and Great Britain have also performed well, with Australia earning 16 medals in different sports including swimming and Great Britain 17 medals in sports like cycling and rowing. These results reflect each nation’s dedication and competitive spirit at the Games.