New Delhi: The opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics was marked by two major gaffes — South Korea was mistakenly introduced as North Korea and the Olympic flag was raised upside down.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) apologised to the South Korean government Saturday after athletes from the country were mistakenly introduced as from North Korea. “Republique populaire democratique de Coree” was how they were introduced by commentators in French, which translates to ‘Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’ in English.
“We deeply apologise for the mistake that occurred when introducing the South Korean team during the broadcast of the opening ceremony,” the committee said in a post on X in Korean language.
The South Korean sports ministry subsequently issued a statement expressing “regret” over the incident. The sports ministry has also asked the foreign ministry to raise the issue formally with the French side, the statement said.
North and South Korea are regional foes, who both stake claim to the whole of the Korean peninsula.
The three-and-a-half-hour-long ceremony took place on a rainy day in France’s capital. The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games usually showcases the culture of the host country and city, the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.
The opening ceremony was also off to a rocky start after the Olympic flag — featuring the iconic five-coloured rings that form the emblem — was raised upside down.
This year, athletes from various countries sailed down the Seine River. Approximately 7,000 athletes from 205 countries were present at the ceremony. French Olympic gold medallists Marie-Jose Perec and Teddy Riner were the final torchbearers to light the cauldron.
This is France’s sixth time hosting the Olympic Games. The country is known to have played an integral role in the history of the modern Olympic Games.