Simone Biles Shines In Paris Olympics Amid Controversy And Drama

Paris
Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, made a triumphant return to the Olympics in Paris, earning loud cheers during her opening routine. In her third Olympic appearance, Biles overcame her struggles with the ‘twisties’ from the Tokyo Games, leading with a score of 14.733 points on the balance beam.
Paris 2024 organizers issued an apology after facing backlash from Catholic and Christian groups over a controversial opening ceremony act that parodied Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper.’ The performance, which included drag queens, a transgender model, and a naked singer, offended many viewers.
Controversy also arose as Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde, a convicted rapist, faced boos during his debut. Additionally, there is uncertainty surrounding the triathlon swimming event due to high pollution levels in the Seine River, despite extensive efforts to improve water quality.