Upside-down flag, S Korea confused as North: Here's how Paris embarrassed itself in Olympics opening ceremony

Paris, France

When France announced the unique idea of holding the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games outdoors, it already had everyone's concerns, especially the meteorologists who had predicted that the rainy weather in July could lead to a 'disaster' and this prediction seemed to be turning true when on July 26 (Friday), the celebrities, royals, politicians and Parisians were seen seeking shelter amid heavy downpour. 

But it was not just the rains, but many more blunders that left Paris red-faced by the end of the ceremony. Here are some of the mistakes which are likely to go down in history. 

Olympic flag hoisted upside down

The 2024 Olympic Games were opened by Paris by hoisting the famous flag of the tournament upside down, which was quickly noticed by the viewers who expressed their disappointment over the mistake.

Also Read: Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony: PV Sindhu, Sharath Kamal lead India's contingent in French capital

The Olympic flag was raised by the authorities at Place du Trocadero after President Emmanuel Macron had declared the games had begun.

In the images of the flag shared on social media, the iconic emblem of five coloured rings appeared in the wrong positions, which meant it had been hoisted incorrectly.

South Korea announced as North Korea

South Korea was left disappointed when the announcer introduced them as North Korea at the opening ceremony.

When the boat filled with South Korean athletes passed through the River Seine, the announcer called them the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, which is North Korea's official name to their utter embarrassment, especially in the wake of the tense relationship between North and South Korea.

The same introduction was used by the announcer when the delegation from North Korea passed. 

In a statement, South Korea’s Vice-Minister For Sports And Culture Jang Mi-ran said, “We express regret that the country was introduced as North Korea at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games when the athletes of the Republic of Korea were entering."

He also requested to meet International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bachn and South Korea’s National Olympic Committee appealed to them not to repeat the error again.

Millionaire husband of Serena Williams called ‘umbrella holder’

This one mistake doesn't really add to the officials who organised the Olympics opening ceremony but was one made by the European Olympics commentator during the event. 

Serena Williams' husband Alexis Ohanian was accompanying his wife and holding an umbrella over her head, when a Eurosport commentator seeing it said, "She looks absolutely incredible. She’s got someone just behind us holding an umbrella. Those are the levels you aspire to. To have an actual umbrella holder behind you.”

Social media users call it 'worst ever' ceremony

Amid all the gaffes at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, social media was flooded with criticism as the netizens called it the "worst ever". 

Watch: Paris Olympics 2024: PV Sindhu, Sharath Kamal lead India's contingent

“This is the worst Olympic opening ceremony I have ever seen, it’s actually embarrassing. It is NOTHING to do with the sports and athletes, it’s just some random dancers getting all the airtime and the athletes get maybe 5 seconds per country? Ridiculous!!!” wrote a user on social media platform X.

“Sorry, am I watching the Olympics or Eurovision?" the user later said.

Another user said, “This is the worst opening ceremony ever. The performances are not giving. Its all over the place. No man”

“I’m sorry but this has to be the worst Olympic opening ceremony in memory. It’s an interesting idea bringing the athletes in on boats but it looks rubbish and misses the roar of the crowd. Sorry but not for me," wrote a third user. 

(With inputs from agencies)