Thanh HưngThe opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics took place on the morning of July 27 (Vietnamese time). However, this year's opening ceremony has sparked mixed reactions. Many viewers openly criticized the concept and viewed the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony as a disappointing event in Olympic history.
Amidst the criticism from the online community, the highlight video of the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony on the official Olympic YouTube channel, with 12.6 million subscribers, has been hidden/removed by the Organizing Committee. Currently, viewers receive a notification saying, "This video is not available" if they click on the link.
Image from the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony (Photo: Getty Images).
Furthermore, some companies have started taking steps to withdraw their sponsorship from the Paris 2024 Olympics after perceived religious controversies.
It is reported that the segment receiving the most criticism is the performance of male artists impersonating females. Many believe that the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony offended the religious beliefs of billions of people worldwide.
The network C'Spire declared: "We are shocked and are gradually pulling advertising from this Olympic event." Other brands have also criticized the Paris 2024 Olympic Organizing Committee for turning the opening ceremony into a "disaster."
Facing the global wave of criticism from viewers and media, a spokesperson for the Paris 2024 Olympics has apologized to the audience.
At a press conference on July 28, Anne Descamps - the spokesperson for the Olympics - stated that the Organizing Committee did not intend to disrespect any religious community. However, they want to apologize to those who felt hurt by the performance reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's painting "The Last Supper."
Thomas Jolly (artistic director of the opening ceremony) denied that the performance was inspired by "The Last Supper." According to the Organizing Committee representative, the performances carried messages of freedom, tolerance, and cultural diversity. However, the Organizing Committee did not explain why the opening ceremony video disappeared from the Olympic YouTube channel.
The Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony lasted over 3 hours with 10 chapters. In the program, the Organizing Committee aimed to convey the cultural and artistic aspects of the host country intermingled with procession rituals, and the lighting of the cauldron. However, this year's opening ceremony had many "flaws" such as mispronouncing country names and hanging flags upside down.
The performance of singer Celine Dion was considered the highlight of the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony (Photo: Getty Images).
In an event marked by controversy and shortcomings, the only bright spot was the performance of singer Celine Dion after a long break from singing due to illness.
The Guardian commented: "While the Organizing Committee is still unsure how to handle the embarrassing incidents, Céline Dion's appearance overshadowed everything. The Canadian star shone in a sparkling dress, sang beautifully, and brought the song 'L'Hymne A L'Amour' to the audience. Céline Dion charmed the hearts of over 1.5 billion live viewers, and most importantly, she saved the Organizing Committee from criticism."
Céline Dion had not performed since 2021, when she was diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome and canceled her worldwide tour "Courage." Her appearance at the Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony inspired many people.
After the opening ceremony, in a post on her personal page, the renowned singer wrote: "I am delighted to honor the amazing athletes. They bring stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance.
I hope all of you focus on your dreams. Whether you win a medal or not, being here is extraordinary. Stay focused, keep moving forward, my heart is always with you."
