Olympic Flag Raised Upside Down at Paris Opening Ceremony
The 2024 Olympics in Paris got off to a rocky start with an opening ceremony that was already marred by rain. But things took a turn for the worse when the Olympic flag was raised and flown upside down.
Members of the French military raised the flag with its five Olympic rings at the Place du Trocadero near the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately, it was askew with the symbol’s two bottom rings flipped to the top. It is unclear what caused the mistake.
Despite the poor weather and the flag mishap, the opening ceremony featured several hours of dances, performances, and a procession of athletes in boats down the Seine River. The ceremony included performances by Lady Gaga and Celine Dion, among others. Despite the challenges, spirits were high, even as the ceremony stretched toward the early morning ahead of the final torch lighting.
The opening ceremony was a highly anticipated event, and the mistake with the Olympic flag was a disappointing start to the games. However, the athletes and spectators alike remained optimistic and enthusiastic, looking forward to the rest of the competition.
