SCANDALOUS OLYMPICS

The biggest sporting event of the year is taking place in Paris. The French, who secured the opportunity to host the Olympics for the third time, have openly stated their intention to save costs this time. Consequently, most of the sports facilities were not constructed but were instead set up as temporary structures.

First time on the Seine

The opening ceremony of the 33rd Summer Olympic Games occurred on July 26 along the Seine riverfront. The event featured a blend of visual and live performances. With legendary footballer Zinedine Zidane leading the way, accompanied by a group of three children, the Olympic torch was handed over to an unknown hero waiting on the river.

The ceremony on the River Seine commenced with 85 ships carrying thousands of athletes departing from the Austerlitz Bridge. Representatives from Greece, regarded as the birthplace of the Olympic Games, led the procession in front of the honour tribune. The boat carrying the Azerbaijani athletes sailed under number 16. Judoka Gultaj Mammadaliyeva and boxer Muhammad Abdullayev were entrusted with carrying the flag of Azerbaijan.

The first entertainment star to grace the stage in Paris was American singer Lady Gaga. She performed a song from a classic French cabaret, accompanied by the Moulin Rouge dance troupe. Following her performance, renowned French-Malian artist Ai Nakamura took to the stage. The highlight of the ceremony was marked by a balloon launch near the Louvre: a group of famous athletes brought the Olympic torch to the cauldron, and as the flame was ignited, the balloon ascended into the night sky, where it will remain until the conclusion of the Games. Canadian singer Celine Dion, who has not performed for an extended period due to health issues, sang Hymne à l'Amour (Hymn of Love) from the repertoire of French singer Edith Piaf.

At the Epicenter of Scandals

Shortly before the start of the Paris Olympics, several participants voiced their dissatisfaction regarding organizational issues. As a result, six swimmers from the South Korean national team chose to leave the Olympic Village. The athletes opted for accommodation in a hotel close to the swimming venue to avoid spending more than an hour and a half commuting each day.

The legendary Brazilian footballer Zico was robbed in the early days of the Olympics. According to Le Parisien, a briefcase valued at 420,000 euros was stolen from the 71-year-old former midfielder. It reportedly contained expensive watches, jewellery, diamonds, and cash.

Moreover, athletes from three countries expressed outrage over the beds provided in the Athletes' Village. They reported experiencing insomnia due to the uncomfortable cardboard beds placed in their rooms.

Additionally, rainy weather contributed further complications. The unpredictable conditions caused hundreds of attendees to leave the opening ceremony early and led to a postponement of the skateboarding competition until the following day. The organizing committee was compelled to find alternative venues for this event.

The situation was exacerbated by the fact that the Paris Olympics Organizing Committee did not construct new sports facilities to cut costs. Consequently, several competitions in Paris are being held either outdoors or within theatres and concert halls. According to French media reports, the Olympics cost France 11 billion euros—almost double what was initially projected.

A significant disruption on the country’s railway also caught French authorities by surprise, affecting 800,000 people. Authorities reported a "massive attack aimed at paralysing the network" of high-speed trains and noted three fires near tracks on high-speed lines serving Atlantic, North, and East routes.

Facts and Figures

The Olympics, in which Azerbaijan's national team is represented by 48 athletes, will continue until August 11. The closing ceremony is set for that same day. Approximately 11,000 athletes from 206 countries are competing for 329 sets of medals across 32 sports at these Games.

A record number of tickets have been sold for the Summer Olympics in Paris. Keith McConnell, sporting director of the International Olympic Committee, remarked: "More than 8.8 million tickets sold—an incredible number, the highest ever for a sporting event in France."

The previous record for ticket sales belonged to the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, where 8.3 million tickets were sold for the Games in the USA.

Athletes' Opinions

Experienced gymnast Zohra Aghamirova, a member of Azerbaijan's Olympic team, shared with Region Plus magazine before travelling to Paris: "We pay special attention to clarity and quality in our routines. I am focusing on reaching my peak performance and showcasing my best in Paris. We train for hours to achieve top results and confidently complete our programs. I want to enjoy the Olympics and perform routines that I have been working on for an extended period."

Three-time world champion in freestyle wrestling and member of the Olympic team Haji Aliyev stated: "The Paris Olympics is one of the most significant competitions in my career. Unlike previous Olympiads, I am now more experienced. We will continue training right up until the last day. I'm heading to Paris for the only medal that has eluded me throughout my career. I believe that Paris 24 will bring success to the Azerbaijani team."

First Medal

Azerbaijani judoka Hidayat Heydarov was awarded the title of Olympic champion at Paris 2024 on July 27. He secured Azerbaijan's first medal at the 2024 Games. Heydarov's medal marked the 50th anniversary medal for Azerbaijan at the Olympic Games. Hidayat Heydarov became the eighth Olympic champion in independent Azerbaijan's history.