The Paris 2024 Olympics have been a global highlight for over a month, captivating audiences worldwide. However, recent actions by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have sparked controversy, not for athletic performances but for decisions that have left many fans and contributors disappointed. The backlash stems from a drastic move in the realm of social media, which erased the efforts of thousands of creators.
The controversy revolves around the deletion of the official Instagram account for the Paris 2024 Olympics. The account, which had been a hub for news and entertainment, provided fans with daily updates about the prestigious event. In an unexpected decision, the IOC collaborated with Meta to merge the account’s 3.5 million followers into the official Olympics account, leaving the Paris 2024 page devoid of content. This move has led to widespread criticism, particularly from fans and content creators who worked tirelessly to build the account’s success.
The outrage among fans has grown significantly, with many expressing frustration over the sudden erasure of the account’s posts. For the team of over 3,500 people—including photographers, videographers, and social media strategists—who worked to showcase the event’s legacy, this decision feels like a dismissal of their dedication and creativity.
Former social media expert for the Paris Olympics, Julien Fritsch, shared his disappointment, stating, “They erased our memories, the images, films, and emotions of an enchanted summer. All the visible parts of the work of 3,500 people and a host of talents… We thought we would leave an intangible legacy, help future organizers, keep a trace in history… But they preferred to delete our memories. And all our work.” His words echo the sentiments of many who see this action as a loss of history and cultural significance.
This incident is not the first controversy linked to the Paris Olympics. Earlier in the event, the official video of the opening ceremony was mysteriously removed from the IOC’s platforms, including YouTube, while older videos from previous Olympics remained accessible. Speculation suggested the removal was tied to potential controversy over a segment of the ceremony inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper, which some feared might provoke religious sensitivities. However, Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s artistic director, later dismissed these rumors, providing some closure on the matter.
The deletion of the Paris 2024 Instagram account, however, has reignited debates about the IOC’s decisions. Critics argue that erasing such an important repository of content undermines the efforts of those who worked tirelessly to promote the event. Others feel it disrespects the legacy of the Games and the creators who sought to leave behind an enduring record of this historic event.
As fans and contributors voice their concerns, the IOC faces mounting pressure to justify its decision. Many see this move as an unnecessary setback in preserving the cultural and emotional impact of the Olympics, a disappointment for an event designed to unite and inspire on a global scale.