Paris has been hit with a power outage only after hours they were hit with heavy downpour and transport issues, as backlash grows over their opening ceremony.
The 2024 Olympics has gotten off to a rocky start in Paris with its opening ceremony coming under heavy criticism.
More issues have appeared to surfaced for the city during the worldwide sporting event as videos have emerged showing Paris in a complete blackout.
Fears have emerged that the large-scale power outage across the city could impact plans for the Olympics.
This comes after heavy showered battering the city wreaked havoc forcing several sporting events to postpone.
Top tennis stars including Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz had their games held up as many matches were washed out and delayed.
The men’s street skateboarding competition was postponed and rescheduled for Monday because of a new deluge.
The latest rainfall led to the reappearance of masses of brollies and rain ponchos and long lines outside Olympic stadia.
Only two courts at Roland Garros were playable on Saturday morning as they had roofs and former Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek was finally able to play her Romanian opponent on the Philippe-Chatrier court after the roof was closed.
She took the first set 6-2 in front of former Vogue’s Dame Anna Wintour and a relieved crowd who were able to ditch their umbrellas and rain macs after being soaked to the skin.
Other courts were covered in orange plastic sheeting to protect them against the unseasonal elements.
One fan Marc Hobes, 25, from Paris, said: ‘This is not typical weather. For a tennis fan like me, this is very bad luck and also for Paris.
‘We want to show off the Olympics to the world in one of the best cities, but the rain spoiled the opening ceremony and now the sport.
‘But I was at Wimbledon last month and the rain was there too. So it is not just Paris.’
Debbie Lyons, 42, from Wembley who was with her French partner Pierre, said: ‘We moan about the weather back at home and now the French might understand why we are miserable most summers.
‘Pierre and me are going to Nice tomorrow. The sun should be out there.’
The street skateboarding was due to begin today at La Concorde, an outdoor venue where thousands were due to enjoy the event. Along with skateboarding, BMX freestyle and 3×3 basketball events are due to be staged there.
But the grounds were waterlogged, and seats covered in pools of water.
And in the women’s cycling multiple competitors crashed at high speed on the capital’s rain-soaked streets during the time trial.
American rider Taylor Knibb suffered several collisions with the cobbles, with one crash so bad she was forced to swap bikes.
Team-mate and 2023 world champion Chloe Dygert also took spill, robbing her of the pole position as she went into the final phase of the 20-mile race around Paris.
The favourite banged her head and lost her glasses but still managed to get back on her bike.
But the tumble meant Britain’s Anna Henderson beat her and took the silver medal by less than a second.
However, it wasn’t only the weather that has been awash for the Olympics so far, as the opening ceremony conducting throughout the French city has received a tirade of backlash.
Enraged viewers took to X where #boycottOlympics and #boycottParis2024 were seen trending over the course of the following day.
In particular, the appearance of a ‘naked blue man’ among a scene likened to the Last Supper angered many watching, especially Christians.
One wrote: ‘What a disgraceful opening to the 2024 Olympics #BoycottOlympics.’
Another declared they ‘didn’t even care about the Olympics’ but were now ‘100 per cent boycotting’.
cores of X users added to the pile-on, commenting: ‘The opening ceremony was a disgrace and a slap in the face to all Christians #boycottOlympics.
‘Are you serious?!? This is blasphemous and God will not be mocked! #BoycottOlympics.
‘Why on earth would anyone push so much to offend as many Christians as possible? It’s insane that this kind of “show” even passed proposal stage. #BoycottOlympics.
‘Respect Jesus Christ and reject any mockery of Jesus’ Last Supper. Retweet if you stand with #BoycottOlympics.
‘The spectacle was despicable, offensive and extremely vile. #BoycottOlympics #BoycottParis2024.
‘Will this be the first Olympics that never was? Who will be the first country brave enough to boycott? Fingers crossed #BoycottOlympics.’
Though many took issue with the segment of the ceremony for its perceived mockery of the Last Supper, The Olympic Games’ official X account suggested otherwise, labelling the ‘naked blue man’ an ‘interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus’.
Dionysus is the Greek god of fertility and has no relevance to the Last Supper.
French actor and singer Phillippe Katerine fulfilled the controversial role, and went on to dismiss the critics, telling BFM TV: ‘It wouldn’t be fun if there were no controversy. Wouldn’t it be boring if everyone agreed on this planet?’
Nevertheless the Catholic church in France criticised the segment, with the Conference of French bishops releasing a statement which said: ‘This ceremony has unfortunately included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we very deeply deplore.’
Many were also upset by the subsequent performance by French heavy metal band Gojira, who played ‘Ah! Ça Ira’ – a popular song during the French Revolution.
The band were joined by opera singer Marina Viotti as well as a plethora of beheaded figures representing the slain Queen Marie Antoinette.