The Olympics are not a new occurrence that should surprise anyone. Viral issues, memes, quotes, images, and videos appear almost daily, if not more frequently, yet the Olympics vividly showcase how our world is interconnected and often moves at unprecedented speed, with information circulated almost instantaneously.

Because of this, as the Olympics progress from the opening day to the closing ceremony, many longtime viewers may feel as though they are watching a ‘season’ where they can reflect on key moments throughout, from the spectacular opening to vibrant competitions filled with unique identities that resonate like characters from a series. These competitions come with their share of disputes and problems while also offering impressive interactions between people.

This might be described as one of the most comprehensive and dynamic sports festivals ever.

A Sports Festival of Peace, Where Russia’s Presence Was Lacking

Sports and politics should not be intertwined.

These are words many have likely heard.

However, this principle is challenging to uphold on a global stage, especially as the IOC declared a boycott against Russia in 2022 due to violations of the Olympic Truce. This ancient agreement is intended to halt hostilities seven days before and after the Olympics and Paralympics. It was resurrected in 1993 under the belief that sport could someday serve as a bridge toward peace.

As Russia continues its invasion of Ukraine, the IOC felt compelled to take decisive action to prevent other countries from following suit. This ban extended beyond Russia to involve its ally, Belarus.

It is not that the IOC fails to recognize the efforts of athletes from Russia and Belarus; they are ‘allowed‘ to participate, but doing so means that Russian athletes must compete asAthletes without affiliation (AIN – Individual Neutral Athletes). This status prohibits them from donning any attire featuring the Russian flag, limiting their representation to a neutral status devoid of any indication of nationality, even omitting the presentation of the national anthem during medal ceremonies.

Furthermore, participating athletes must fulfill several conditions:

• Do not engage in any military activity.
• Avoid posting supportive messages regarding the war on social media.
• Team sports are banned while individual competitions are permitted.

“I believe the Olympics relate to ‘sport‘, but that’s not entirely true. They encompass politics, religion, and more. It’s regrettable to witness these scenarios as the original essence of the Olympics was to promote peace.”

‘Maria Butina‘ (Mariya Butina), a Russian MP, voiced her concerns softly as the hopes of watching her athletes claim medals faded.

She was asked the question once again: “But Russia invaded Ukraine. That cannot symbolize peace, can it?”

“Russia protects its people”, she insisted firmly, denying any personal motives for Kremlin military actions, framing them instead as a stern warning to Europe against further encroachment toward its borders.

Russia sent athletes under the auspices of the Russian Olympic Committee, or ROC (Russian Olympic Committee). Out of the 335 athletes in the Tokyo Olympics, only 15 participated as ‘neutral athletes’ in sports like swimming, canoeing, and more.

The IOC extended invitations to 36 athletes from Russia and 24 from Belarus. While most athletes initially accepted, the Russian government later criticized the IOC’s actions as discriminatory. Consequently, many athletes opted to decline the invitation.

This situation is not unprecedented. Russia faced its first international sporting ban from December 2019 to 2023, stemming from the discovery of doping among its athletes.

How do Russian citizens feel about this situation? The Russian newspaper, Prada, indicated that many Russians have long felt indifferent toward the Olympics and that this ban has had no noticeable impact on their lives, as they continue their daily existence.

Meanwhile, various newspaper headlines directly challenged the tournament organizers in France, with some labeling the event as the ‘Olympus of Hell‘. They criticized the treatment of athletes and claimed that the provided food was subpar. Many athletes reportedly fell ill after consuming contaminated food, and the conditions forced them to swim in the Seine River, which was not deemed suitable for competition.

Despite the absence of Russian athletes in team competitions, some remarked that synchronized swimming lacked the usual excitement without Russia’s participation. Although there were vibrant showings from other sports, this year’s Olympics prominently reflect the pressures and challenges of global politics.

The Modern Olympics Integrating French History in Sports

The Paris 2024 Olympics has been strategically using France’s iconic landmarks and attractions as part of its sporting venues from the outset.

For instance, the beach volleyball matches are staged in front of the Eiffel Tower, while fencing and taekwondo events are held at the Grand Palace. The archery competition takes place on the front lawn of a former military cemetery and museum.

The marathon course is designed for athletes to traverse through the heart of Paris, passing notable sites like the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, and the Palace of Versailles, with the route inspired by the marches of the French Revolution.

Another key aspect garnering attention is the opening ceremony.

This year marks the first instance of an opening ceremony occurring outside a stadium, involving athletes from each country navigating a 6-kilometer-long route via boat along the Seine River, fromDosterlitz Bridge (Pont d’Austerlitz) toD A N A Bridge (Pont d’Iéna), which links the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadéro (Jardins du Trocadéro).

Additionally, the event recognizes the rich history and struggles of the French people in their quest for democracy.

One of the most talked-about performances featured the decapitated head of Marie Antoinette, who was executed for treason and for the plundering of national treasures. Her demise signified the closure of an era; interpretations of her legacy vary between viewing her as a martyr or as a symbol of the failures of the old monarchy.

The theatrical performance labeled ‘Liberty’ employs imagery from Liberty Leading the People, symbolizing the voices, independence, and unity of the populace from past generations through to the present.

Also noteworthy is the mascot named ‘Olympic Phryge‘, inspired by thePhrygian Cap, a symbol of liberty depicted in the painting Liberty Leading the People, representing key figures from French history.

Moreover, athletes winning medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics will receive medals containing a piece of the iconic Eiffel Tower, further bridging the Games with Paris’s quintessential symbol.

The medal trays have been uniquely crafted by the luxury fashion brand Louis Vuitton, created from their signature Monogram canvas and lined with matte black leather, featuring embossed Olympic and Paralympic logos. Each tray can accommodate two to six medals.

Additionally, Louis Vuitton has designed unisex uniforms for the medal bearers, comprising polo shirts, trousers, and short-brimmed gavroche hats, reestablishing the visual identity of the Games.

The top three athletes will also receive an official poster for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, illustrated byUgo Gattoni, who employed vibrant colors to depict Paris as a large sports city reflecting openness and athleticism throughout.

The closing ceremony will showcase a performance representing the evolution from the traditional Olympics to contemporary times, featuring the significant figure Pierre Frédéric Baron de Coubertin, a French baron, founder of the International Olympic Committee, and the second president of the IOC, credited with ushering in the modern Olympic era.

Statues of theWinged Victory of Samothrace, a Hellenistic marble sculpture, will be placed on a stage resembling a map of France, symbolizing victory.

All these elements break from convention, intertwining narratives of the French populace’s struggle and perseverance, marking the Olympic Games’ return after 600 years since the 1924 event.

‘Chocolate Muffins’: The 2024 Olympics’ Star Snack

“Food should be healthy and sustainable for the planet simultaneously.”

This idea positioned the Paris 2024 Olympics as more favorable for vegetarians and environmentalists than any previous iteration, with an intention to double plant-based ingredients used and halve greenhouse gas emissions relative to earlier Olympics.

During the 10-day event, France has established a dining area in the Athletes’ Village that seats 3,500 and operates 24 hours, serving around 40,000 meals daily from diverse global cuisines, along with six Grab & Go zones offering snacks, pastries, salads, fruits, Michelin-star chef menus, and even junk food.

However, reports surfaced about athletes facing challenges with inadequate food options and limited supply. Additionally, concerns arose regarding parasites found in some fish (though organizers confirmed no official complaints) along with the scarcity of protein-rich choices. Long wait times for food, sometimes extending to 30 minutes due to the absence of an organized queue system, led some athletes to order from local restaurants, which sparked widespread criticism.