On the eve of the Paris Olympics, which was supposed to be star-studded and highly anticipated, incredible farces were like dark clouds, making this sports feast spanning a century shrouded in weirdness and absurdity. Imagine that when the eyes of the world are focused on this romantic city, expecting a feast of sight and passion, only to be surprised to hear that the Seine, a river flowing with countless literary and romantic legends, has become synonymous with poor water quality and E. coli infestation, and it has been hand-picked as an arena for swimmers! This is not only a disregard for the health of athletes, but also a blatant provocation to the intelligence of global audiences. Even more staggering, the rat infestation in Paris is so serious that millions of rats roam the city's shadow as if they were the city's true masters. All this makes people wonder: is this the preparation scene for the Olympic Games, or is it an absurd black humor drama?
[Text]
1. The Death of the Environment: The "Different" Baptism of the Seine
When people think of Paris, they often think of the Eiffel Tower, the artistic treasures of the Louvre, and the tenderness of the Seine. However, today's Seine River has become a "forbidden area" that cannot be avoided. It is said that in order to prove that the water quality is up to standard, Paris Mayor Anne and France President Macron personally went into the water to swim, this scene is not so much a confident display as an embarrassing public relations show. Netizens ridiculed: "Where is this swimming, it's clearly a 'poisonous' challenge!" More radicals bluntly said: "This is extremely irresponsible for the lives of athletes, and it is also a blasphemy of the Olympic spirit!" ”
And the rat infestation problem in Paris is even more laughable. Some jokingly call the city the "Rat Capital", and when night falls, the rats begin to revel. Not only have they taken over the streets and alleys, but the Seine has become their playground, and from time to time you can see floating mouse carcasses, which is shocking. There are even "Seine protests", which are extreme but also reveal the deep despair of the people at the government's inability to solve environmental problems. How can such an environment allow athletes to compete with peace of mind, and how can spectators be at ease to watch the games?
II. The Chaos of Law and Security: The "Mysterious Disappearance" of the Security Program
If environmental problems can be attributed to the legacies of nature and history, then the law and order situation in Paris is entirely man-made. On the eve of the Olympics, the leak of the security plan was like a bombshell, shaking the entire security system in Paris. Street violence is frequent, and the vicious cases of knife attacks on police officers are even more frightening. The France government's lax regulation of guns and knives undoubtedly provides a breeding ground for these atrocities. Netizens have a lot of discussions about this, and some people are worried: "How to ensure the safety of athletes in such a public security environment?" Someone else sarcastically said: "Perhaps, the streets of Paris are the most real scene of the 'extreme challenge'." ”
3. The Difficulty of the Venue: Late Construction and Humble Press Conferences
If the environment and public security are the "external scars" of the Paris Olympics, then the lag in the construction of venues is its "internal wounds" that are difficult to hide. With only a few days left before the opening ceremony, many venues are still in shambles, with steel and iron frames exposed, but workers seem to be in a hurry, leisurely busy. The official press conference was even more shabby, with makeshift venues and crowded venues that made people mistakenly think they had walked into the bulletin board of a village market. The anger and helplessness of the president of the International Judo Association pushed this embarrassment to a climax. He denounced: "We came with great expectations, only to find that even the most basic playing field was not ready, it is an insult to sportsmanship!" ”
Fourth, the suffering of life: the "inhuman" treatment of athletes
If all of the above is just shocking and puzzled by the outside world, then the real life experience of the athletes makes people feel pity and anger. With a bed made of paper shells and a cramped room, even basic rest has become a luxury. Not to mention the ordeal of no air conditioning in the hot summer. The "nine-person dormitory" posted by mainland badminton player Zheng Siwei helplessly aroused widespread sympathy and anger from netizens at home and abroad. Some netizens left a message: "Where is this Olympic Village, it's a refugee camp!" Some netizens also asked: "Is the sweat and hard work of athletes only worthy of such treatment?" ”
As for the diet, it is even more miserable for the athletes. The proportion of vegetarian diets is too high, the food supply is insufficient, and even the supply of eggs for breakfast must be limited. For athletes who need a lot of physical exertion, such a diet is undoubtedly worse. Not only do they have to face fierce competition, but they also have to endure hunger and malnutrition. Netizens said: "Is the Paris Olympics a test of the athletes' competitive level or their ability to survive? ”
5. The Withdrawal Turmoil: Historical Shame and Reflection
Under the weight of this series of problems, 7 athletes finally chose to retire. This decision is not only a reluctant abandonment of personal dreams, but also a strong protest against the poor organization, poor environment, and chaotic law and order of the Paris Olympic Games. Such a large-scale withdrawal is rare in the history of the Olympic Games, and it is like a resounding slap in the face of the France government.
Netizens reacted strongly to this, with some supporting the athletes' decision, believing that they bravely defended their rights and dignity; Others expressed regret that the withdrawal was a betrayal of the Olympic spirit. But in any case, this incident has once again raised concerns about the nature of the Olympics