The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics became the focal point of a social media uproar due to a photo featuring French President Emmanuel Macron, 46, and Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, also 46, in a tight embrace and kiss.
The image, which shows Oudéa-Castéra planting a kiss close to Macron’s neck, was first published by French magazine Madame Figaro and quickly went viral, generating widespread commentary and controversy.
During the ceremony, Oudéa-Castéra, a former professional tennis player, was seen with her arm around Macron’s neck and her other hand gripping his arm. The image also captured French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal looking away, adding to the awkwardness of the moment. Social media users and commentators were quick to compare the affectionate display to a lover’s embrace, with some finding the photo indecent and unworthy of a president and a minister.
Madame Figaro described the kiss as “strange” and claimed Oudéa-Castéra likes to draw attention to herself. Midi Libre noted the emotional atmosphere following the opening ceremony, suggesting the embrace was an explosion of joy. Despite the backlash, some defended Oudéa-Castéra, pointing to her history of passionately kissing athletes and emphasizing her enthusiasm for the Games.
The Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony itself was a historic event, held outside a stadium along a six-kilometer stretch of the Seine River. The spectacle featured 7,500 competitors on 85 boats, and performances by Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, and others.
In an interview with CNews, Oudéa-Castéra expressed pride in the ceremony’s success, stating, “The French have fallen in love with the Games.” Macron also spoke on the ceremony’s impact, saying, “They’ll be talking about it for the next 100 years.”
Despite the controversy, the opening ceremony was viewed positively by a significant majority of the French public. However, the photo of Macron and Oudéa-Castéra continues to be a hot topic on social media.
