What's true and false about Paris Olympics: Fact check roundup
The 2024 Paris Olympics officially kicked off on July 26 with an opening ceremony that entertained some, offended others and spurred an array of false claims online.
As the Games have progressed, social media users have continued to spread misinformation about the Olympic athletes, team uniforms and demonstrations supposedly organized in response to the opening ceremony.
Here's a roundup of checks about the 2024 Paris Olympics from the Paste BN Fact Check Team:
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Claim: Image shows Eiffel Tower without power in July 2024
Our rating: False
The photo is from March 2021, when the Eiffel Tower shut off its lights as part of a climate awareness campaign.
Full fact check: Image of Eiffel Tower in darkness captured during 2021 climate campaign
Claim: Kamala Harris made a nonsensical statement about Olympians
Our rating: False
The quote is fabricated, according to a spokesperson for Harris’ presidential campaign. There is no evidence she made such a remark.
Full fact check: Nonsense comment about Olympics attributed to Harris is fabricated
Claim: Image shows China's Olympic uniform inspired by Palestinian flag
Our rating: False
The photo was featured in a 2023 issue of Vogue China and doesn't show the 2024 Olympic design. China's uniform for the Paris Olympics is red and white.
Full fact check: Post shows 2023 photoshoot, not Chinese Olympic uniform
Claim: Algerian judo athlete withdrew from Olympics before match against Israeli opponent
Our rating: False
The International Judo Foundation said the athlete was disqualified because he failed his weigh-in. He didn't withdraw from the match.
Full fact check: Judo athlete failed weigh-in, didn't withdraw from Olympics
Claim: Image shows Israel's swim team at Paris Olympics spelling, 'Bring them home now'
Our rating: False
Israel's artistic swimming team posted the image to social media in November 2023, more than eight months before the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Full fact check: Image of Israeli swimmers spelling 'bring them home now' predates Paris Games
Claim: Video shows worship service in Paris after Olympics opening ceremony
Our rating: False
The scene shown here has nothing to do with the Olympics. The video was captured at a Christian march on May 25, more than two months before the opening ceremony.
Full fact check: Viral prayer video captured months before Paris Olympics
Claim: Volleyball player convicted of rape is playing for US Olympic team
Our rating: False
The beach volleyball player shown in the image, Steven van de Velde, competes for the Netherlands, not the U.S. He was convicted in 2016 of raping a child and served one year in prison.
Full fact check: Beach volleyball player convicted of rape plays for the Dutch team, not US
Claim: Video shows Christians singing in France after Olympics opening ceremony
Our rating: False
The video predates the 2024 Olympic Games by nearly two years. A French religious site posted the clip to social media in August 2022, saying it showed a crowd commemorating a Christian feast.
Full fact check: Video shows crowd during Christian feast, not praying after Olympics
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