2024olympicgames

The curtains closed on the Paris 2024 Olympics with a historic outcome for the Bahamas, as the nation concluded the games without a medal for the first time in over three decades.

Despite a series of commendable performances, with hurdler Devynne Charlton shining as the sole finalist from the Bahamas, the medal streak dating back to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, stopped.

The United States led the medal tally with a whopping 126 medals, outpacing China’s 91 and Britain’s 65, with the host nation France securing 64. Notably, China matched the U.S. in the gold medal count, clinching 40. The U.S. also bagged 42 silver and 44 bronze medals.

Regarding individual achievements, China’s Zhang Yufei and France’s Leon Marchand stood out, with Zhang collecting six medals and Marchand securing five, including four golds.

Charlton, the Bahamas’ beacon of hope, finished sixth in the women’s 100m hurdles, while other Bahamian athletes faced withdrawals or semifinal exits.

Despite her disappointment, Charlton expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support from the Bahamas.

In a surprising turn, Bahamian Olympian Steven Gardiner, along with Shaunae Miller-Uibo, faced setbacks, with Gardiner bowing out due to ankle issues and Miller-Uibo finished last place in her repechage heat, due to injury.

The Bahamian spirit, however, remains undeterred, looking ahead to future triumphs at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“The work for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles starts now, and we believe that with continued perseverance and support, many more Bahamians will have the opportunity to represent our nation on the world stage,” the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said.

Organizers of the Paris Olympics apologized for what some described as a mockery of the Last Supper at the games’ opening ceremony on Friday.

The scene featured drag artists and dancers. Barbara Butch, a DJ and producer and a LGBTQ+ icon wore a silver halo as she enlivened the scene at the footbridge across the Seine, as athletes paraded by. The drag artists and dancers flanked her in a skit that likened the  Last Supper as Jesus sat with his twelve disciples.

The Catholic church and Christian groups criticized the depiction and the French Catholic Church called it a “mockery of Christianity.”

Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for the Paris games said, “There was clearly never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group.

“On the contrary, I think we tried to celebrate community, tolerance. We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we’re of course really sorry.”

Thomas Jolly, creative director of the opening ceremony, insisted it was to “celebrate community tolerance.”

Jolly said he saw the moment as a celebration of diversity, and the table on which Butch spun her tunes as a tribute to feasting and French gastronomy– an “interpretation of the Greek God [of wine and festivity] Dionysus.”

“My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock,” Jolly said. “Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide.”