Paris Olympics Drama: The Biggest Controversies And Mistakes

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Introduction

The 2024 Paris Olympics have been marred by several controversies even before the games officially began.
Key issues include allegations of cheating, debates over air conditioning, and athlete behavior.
A notable incident involved Canada's women's soccer team using a drone to spy on New Zealand's training sessions.
The opening ceremony sparked controversy with its use of imagery resembling Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'.
Japan's gymnastics team captain, Shoko Miyata, withdrew after violating team rules by drinking and smoking.
British dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin withdrew following the release of a video showing her whipping a horse.
The inclusion of convicted rapist Steven Van de Velde in the Netherlands' beach volleyball team has also drawn criticism.

Drone Spying: Canada's women's soccer team used a drone to spy on New Zealand's training sessions.
Coach Suspended: Canada's head coach Bev Priestman was sent home following the incident.
Ethics Training: The Canadian Olympic Committee mandated ethics training for the team staff involved.
Public Apology: Canada issued a public apology for the incident.

Religious Imagery: The opening ceremony included imagery resembling Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'.
Christian Community Reaction: Some Christian groups felt offended by the use of this imagery.
Olympics Clarification: The Olympics clarified that any resemblance to the painting was unplanned.

Shoko Miyata: Japan's gymnastics team captain withdrew after violating team rules by drinking and smoking.
Charlotte Dujardin: British dressage athlete withdrew following the release of a video showing her whipping a horse.
Impact on Teams: Both withdrawals had significant impacts on their respective teams' chances.

Eco-Friendly Efforts: Paris organizers aimed to make the Games eco-friendly by avoiding traditional AC units.
Geothermal Cooling: Installed an energy-efficient Geothermal cooling system in athlete dorms.
Athlete Complaints: Some nations, including the U.S. and Australia, complained about the lack of air conditioning.
Compromise: Organizers allowed some nations to bring or rent their own AC units.

Steven Van de Velde: Convicted rapist included in the Netherlands' beach volleyball team.
Public Outcry: The inclusion has drawn significant criticism.
Dutch Defense: Dutch Olympic bosses defended his selection, citing his exemplary behavior post-conviction.