A French footballer is facing backlash for his reaction to losing to Spain in the Olympic final. France and Spain clashed in the eagerly awaited Olympic soccer final on Saturday (10 August). France, hosting this year’s Olympics, faced immense pressure and eventually lost 5-3 to Spain after extra time.
In the Olympics, unlike the World Cup or European Championship, the runners-up receive a silver medal. However, this did little to console football star Michael Olise. He was visibly upset and removed his silver medal while still on the podium.
The 22-year-old received criticism for his actions, with some suggesting that football should be excluded from the Olympics entirely. “This is why football shouldn’t be in the Olympics,” one person commented on social media, alongside a photo of Olise removing his medal. “For most Olympians, they work tirelessly for four years. A silver medal is huge. It’s not like a Carabao Cup runners-up.”
📸🥈 Michael Olise pic.twitter.com/sujrKyguvW
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) August 9, 2024
Another individual remarked on Olise’s maturity, noting that many teams, even bronze medalists, kept their medals on. “Players should respect runner-up medals,” agreed another, calling Olise’s actions ‘wildly disrespectful.’
However, some fans were more understanding. One commented, “His mentality is for gold. You can’t blame him for feeling disappointed. Not everyone reacts the same to winning and losing.” Another added, “He celebrated with his teammates afterward. He was emotional in the moment.”
Despite Olise’s apparent disappointment, the team’s manager Thierry Henry expressed pride in the team. “Building this team wasn’t easy, but I’m proud of our work,” the former professional footballer stated.
In a different Olympic event, a 21-year-old French pole vaulter’s attempt to clear 5.70 metres on 3 August ended in disaster when his knee collided with the bar, crushing his Olympic dreams.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s Yusuf Dikec adopted a relaxed approach, seen with one hand in his pocket and no shooting gear. This approach paid off as he secured silver with his partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan.
Setting a new personal best, Noah Lyles clinched victory by a mere 0.005 seconds with a final time of 9.784, marking the fastest race ever, with all eight athletes finishing under 10 seconds.
Snoop Dogg made headlines after attending the dressage team Grand Prix Special dressed in full equestrian attire alongside Martha Stewart.
Swimmer Ana Carolina Vieira was sent home after leaving the Olympic village without permission, violating the rules. Her boyfriend Gabriel Santos, also a swimmer, joined her.
Coxswain Henry Fieldman made history by winning bronze in the women’s event, following his bronze win in Tokyo with the men’s team. A rule change in 2017 allowed coxes of either gender to steer the eights.
Belgian triathlete Jolien Vermeylen admitted to feeling unwell after swimming in a polluted river, despite the country spending £1.18 billion on cleaning it for the games.
An American star deliberately underperformed in the Men’s 110m hurdles heat to avoid aggravating an injury, making it across the finish line last with a time of 18.27 seconds, knowing he had another chance due to repechage rounds.
The pool at Paris La Défense Arena received backlash for its 2.15-metre depth, falling short of the 2.5 metres recommended for Olympic competitions, causing ‘slow’ swimming due to water volatility.
Italian boxer Angela Carini faced Algeria’s Imane Khelif in a match on 1 August but abandoned it after 46 seconds. Khelif, previously disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships over eligibility criteria, urged against bullying athletes and secured gold in the welterweight division.
Paraguayan swimmer Alonso, accused of creating an ‘inappropriate environment,’ was asked to leave the village. She denied the claims and announced her retirement.
Olympic gold medallist in the men’s 100m backstroke, Ceccon, struggled with sleep due to heat and noise. Saudi rower Husein Alireza posted a photo of Ceccon napping in the Olympic Village.
Van de Velde, a convicted child rapist, faced boos during the beach volleyball preliminary phase. Sentenced in 2016 for rape, many were outraged at his participation in the Olympics.
Chaos ensued in the men’s 5,000 metres heats on 7 August. Team GB’s George Mills accused France’s Hugo Hay of pushing him, leading to a tense exchange at the finish line. Four runners fell, with three advancing to the final. Mills finished 21st with a time of 13:32:32.
Team USA gymnast Jordan Chiles experienced heartbreak after a court ruled that her bronze medal in the women’s floor exercise was secured too late, reinstating Romania’s Ana Barbosu in third place, potentially requiring Chiles to return her medal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why is Michael Olise being criticized after the Olympics final?
Olise was criticized for removing his silver medal on the podium after France lost to Spain.
What was the final score between France and Spain in the Olympics soccer final?
Spain won 5-3 against France after extra time.
What did Thierry Henry say about the French team after their loss?
Henry said he was ‘proud’ of the team’s efforts despite the loss.
Why do some people think soccer should be removed from the Olympics?
Some believe soccer should be removed because players like Olise don’t value their silver medals.
How did some fans defend Michael Olise’s reaction to losing the final?
Fans said Olise’s mentality for gold and emotional reaction were understandable.