The 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony has sparked widespread controversy, with some dubbing it the ‘worst ever.’ However, opinions among viewers varied widely. Despite the torrential rain and audio issues, the event received a mix of praise and criticism from fans and media alike.
Around 6,800 athletes, donning plastic ponchos, tried to maintain high spirits as they floated down the river Seine on a massive flotilla of 85 boats. Despite their efforts, many viewers were disappointed with the poor audio quality caused by the heavy rain. Adding to the controversy, the ceremony featured a decapitated Marie Antoinette singing and a parody of the Last Supper, which some Christians found blasphemous.
The New York Times described the ceremony as a “bloated made-for-TV spectacle,” while the New York Post labeled it “boring, ill-conceived, and choppy.” One social media user commented, “France is doing good, but it’s getting nowhere near the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony.”
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MailOnline conducted a street survey in Paris to gauge public opinion. A group of British lads wearing berets unanimously agreed that London’s 2012 opening ceremony was superior. One man described the Paris ceremony as “underwhelming,” noting that the ambitious attempt to do something different fell short due to spectator challenges.
In contrast, an American couple in waterproof ponchos found the ceremony impressive. The man called it “one of the best opening ceremonies I’ve ever seen,” highlighting the unique use of Paris as a backdrop and the emotional impact of the performances, including breakdancing by a paraplegic artist. However, his partner felt that certain parts, like the metal horse segment and the torch-passing, dragged on too long.
Another American woman, soaked but enthusiastic, declared the ceremony “completely worth it.” She appreciated the spectacle despite the rain, saying, “No one left the opening ceremony. It was spectacular.”
A man from Congo, now living in Paris, praised the boats and the beautiful light show, expressing pride in seeing his home country’s team represented.
Despite some praise, the opening ceremony faced significant backlash. Critics targeted the catwalk-turned-stage element for its perceived parody of the Last Supper, and the portrayal of Dionysus, depicted in blue and covered in flowers and fruit, was seen as odd.
Following the negative reception, the official video of the Paris 2024 opening ceremony was removed from the Olympics’ accounts, leading to further speculation and disappointment. Unlike other ceremonies, such as London 2012 and Rio 2016, the Paris 2024 event is noticeably absent from their YouTube channel.
The evening concluded on a high note with Celine Dion’s performance beneath the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic rings, which somewhat redeemed the night for many viewers. However, the overall reception remained mixed, with some fans calling it the worst Olympic opening ceremony in recent memory.
Even in France, the response was tepid. Le Figaro described the show as “great but some of it was just too much,” encapsulating the divided opinions on Paris’ ambitious but contentious opening ceremony.
