Social media controversies dim the Olympic spirit
FRANCE-Just over halfway into the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, there have already been a number of genuinely unforgettable moments as well as plenty of controversy.
What sparks controversy on social media?
After the Opening Ceremonies, there has been a great deal of discussion about it on social media. The regulations governing the 100-meter sprint were questioned by users on the platforms nearly as quickly as gold medallist Noah Lyles. The record makes it obvious that a runner’s body, not their foot, must cross the finish line first. Similar to how French pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati got a little more attention on social media than he probably would have liked when a video went viral claiming a “bulge” in his shorts lost him a medal, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif too found herself in the focus of a gender issue! A closer look at the film in Ammirati’s case reveals that his knee struck the bar. Furthermore, nine other men succeeded where he failed in all three tries. “Everyone loves to chime in and talk about the Olympic athletes, but it needs to be remembered that Olympians are people too, and we should try our best to highlight their accomplishments over bringing controversies, negatives, and ‘what’s next’ questions to mainstream media,” suggested Jenna Guarneri, CEO and founder of JMG Communications.
How do athletes respond to online criticism?
The Olympics and other major pop culture events “have always sparked conversation in the media and our inner circles,” said David Watkins, account manager and publicist at Otter Public Relations. According to Watkins, the modern difference is that social media allows everyone a voice and the ability for their opinions regardless of their veracity to become viral. The fact that the players’ appearances and scandals have frequently overtaken the performances on social media this year is arguably the biggest trend. It should be noted that Jules Bouyer, a springboard diver from France, became well-known for his skimpy swimwear and allegedly pleaded with his audience to concentrate on his skills rather than his look. The speed, amplification, wider audience, and capacity to create and participate in live discussions around Olympic highlights have changed the nature of coverage and consumption of the games. Users are empowered by social media to choose what they find engaging, charming, and noteworthy, according to Paul Miser, group director and senior vice president of marketing agency The How Agency.
Can social media hype influence Olympic outcomes?
According to forbes, Positively speaking, social media has made it possible for certain rivals to get attention. The Olympic “shooting” stars are rarely given much more than a brief mention. This year, however, was definitely not the case. Kim Yeji, a South Korean competitor who won a silver medal in the pistol competition, gained popularity online and is currently the subject of several memes. Yusuf Dikec, a Turkish sports shooter, was similarly accurate with his seemingly much more relaxed demeanor. As per beamstart, There have been some controversial issues surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympics, sparking debate throughout the world. In an unexpected turn of events, Khelif became entangled in yet another big dispute with Anna Luca Hamori, her opponent from Hungary. After Khelif’s disputed knockout victory over Angela Carini, which sparked allegations regarding Khelif’s testosterone levels, Hamori heightened tensions on social media with a slew of derogatory postings. Many saw the Hungarian’s offensive and transphobic photographs on Instagram, where they compared Khelif to a figure resembling the devil. Khelif’s gender was called into doubt in the pictures and captions, even though the appropriate athletic authorities had given her the all-clear to compete. The public and sports community both strongly condemned these postings for being disrespectful and lacking in sportsmanship.
Call to action: Boycott Pairs Olympics 2024
There is a major dispute surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif in women’s boxing, which has cast a shadow over the 2024 Paris Olympics. After winning a fight against Italian boxer Angela Carini in just 46 seconds, Khelif who had previously been banned from the world championships for having excessive testosterone levels sparked discussions about gender parity in sports. One major issue concerns the quality of the water in the Seine River, which is used for swimming competitions. Pollution and dangerous bacterial levels have often caused the delay of events, raising worries about environmental safety and preparation even in the face of a large cleanup operation valued at USD 1.5 billion. The team’s credibility was damaged as a result of the Canadian coaches implicated receiving harsh sanctions. In these circumstances, this event should be boycotted.
