The Paris Olympics opening ceremony went big and bold, ditching the traditional stadium setup for a dazzling spectacle on the River Seine. Imagine over 200 boats carrying more than 10,500 athletes, surrounded by a vibrant blend of art, culture, and music. It was a feast for the eyes—until things took a controversial turn.

The uproar started with a parody of Leonardo Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” featuring drag queens in the opening ceremony. This comically exaggerated scene had some half-naked performers, with a DJ in the middle donning a halo and a man, drenched in blue and covered only by vines, seated in the center, surrounded by flowers. The performance was meant to be bold and artistic, but many found it “crazy” and saw it as a mockery of the Christian faith. Before long, #BoycottOlympics started trending on social media.

The backlash didn’t stop there. Even big names like former POTUS Donald Trump and X owner Elon Musk had something to say. Then, 25-year-old Ryan Garcia jumped into the fray with a video: “Hey guys imma be real. What they did at the Olympics they all need to get cancelled. You guys think this is a joke? It aint a joke. Christians stand up. Boycott the Olympics. Olympics are done. Once you disresepect Jesus in front of billions of people it’s finished. You guys are done.” He ended his video with a strong statement, “I dont like trans people at all.”

The bold move by the organizers aimed to push artistic boundaries, but it left many feeling disrespected and sparked a wave of controversy that’s still making waves around the world. Donald Trump chimed in on X, replying to a post with pictures of the moment, saying, “They’re not even pretending anymore.” Elon Musk also weighed in, sharing, “This was extremely disrespectful to Christians.”

Even Minnesota Bishop Robert Barron, a prominent U.S. Catholic leader, called it a “gross mockery of The Last Supper” and was heartbroken by the display. Christians around the world echoed this sentiment. But this was just the tip of the iceberg as more issues started bubbling up in the French capital on Day 2, July 28th!

The Paris Olympics are off to a rocky start, and it’s only Day 2!

Here’s a rundown of the chaos as the Paris Olympics have only just begun:

Train Sabotage:

France’s high-speed train lines were hit by multiple “malicious” acts, including arson, which disrupted travel just before the opening ceremony on July 26. The French state railway company, SNCF, had to cancel or divert a large number of trains. They advised travelers to postpone their trips, with services only partially resuming by Friday afternoon. SNCF CEO Jean-Pierre Farandou noted they, “don’t know who is behind it,” but it’s clear the attacks were more than random acts of vandalism.

South Korea Mistakenly Introduced as North Korea:
And in another major gaffe, South Korea was mistakenly introduced as North Korea during the opening ceremony. As the excited, flag-waving team floated down the River Seine, both French and English announcers mistakenly introduced them as the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” – the official name of North Korea. Talk about a mix-up!

The same name was then correctly used when North Korea’s delegation sailed past The South Korean sports ministry expressed “regret over the announcement” and plans to lodge a “strong complaint with France on a government level.” However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) took to its official Korean-language X account to issue a heartfelt apology, stating: “We would like to offer a deep apology over the mistake that occurred in the introduction of the South Korean delegation during the opening ceremony.”

Power Outages:
Adding to the disruption, several reports online claim Paris experienced major power outages amid the Olympic events. Social media was flooded with videos and pictures of the city in darkness, though these reports are yet to be confirmed.

Argentina’s Football Team was robbed:

Argentina’s football team had a rough start even before their chaotic match against Morocco. Their training camp got robbed, with items, including midfielder Thiago Almada’s watch, being stolen. Coach Javier Mascherano shared, “We didn’t want to say anything after training, I don’t think it helps anything. But obviously, it’s a bit disagreeable that these kinds of things happen.” Talk about bad luck! Argentina, which snagged Olympic gold in 2004 and 2008, couldn’t catch a break this time around.

Then came the match itself in Saint-Étienne, which turned into a real mess. Morocco fans stormed the pitch and started throwing bottles after Cristian Medina scored an equalizing goal in the 16th minute of added time. The goal was ruled offside, but the damage was done. The game was suspended for nearly two hours before fans were finally told to leave. Morocco hung on for the final three minutes after the game resumed. The Argentine media didn’t hold back, calling the incident “a scandal,” while Mascherano called it “a circus.” The country’s football federation is now formally protesting to FIFA and vows to take necessary measures to ensure player safety.

Food shortage and issues in the Olympic village:

On July 25th, reports emerged of several athletes voicing concerns over a food shortage at the Olympic Village in Paris. Competitors highlighted that the quantity of crucial items, such as eggs and grilled meats, was insufficient. These protein-rich foods are essential, especially for athletes who need extra energy and nutrients during the games. Paris had promised gourmet foods and Michelin-standard cuisines, but it seems the British Olympic team isn’t impressed.

British athletes have accused the Paris hosts of serving raw meat, prompting them to hire an additional chef for their alternative restaurant. To tackle the issue, the British Olympic Association enlisted an entire catering college in nearby Clichy as their performance base. Andy Anson, CEO of the British Olympic Association, voiced serious concerns, stating, “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.”

Athletes from various countries are feeling the pinch, and the shortages are affecting both vegetarian and omnivorous competitors. With Paris scrambling to meet the high demand, the pressure is on to ensure athletes get the nutrition they need to perform at their best. With all these issues piling up, the “Boycott Olympics” trend is gaining serious traction, putting the organizers under immense pressure! What do you think about all this? Share your thoughts in the comments below!