But where are they? On July 25, on the eve of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the La France Insoumise group in the National Assembly announced the opening of a “popular commission of inquiry” into the competition.
“The Olympic Games model […] has nothing more to do with the cohesion and pleasure of sport: it consecrates the sport business. Worse, the 2024 Olympic Games exacerbate the flaws and excesses of Emmanuel Macron’s policy”, bellowed the rebellious deputies, looking forward to a studious summer, made up of a “process of hearings, meetings and field visits”. Two weeks later, in the face of general enthusiasm, not much news of the major investigation.
Somewhat embarrassed celebrations
Many rebellious elected officials are taking refuge in a prudent silence. Jean-Luc Mélenchon has the merit of consistency. “I am against the Olympic Games in Paris,” he stated on June 23, 2015. He has remained silent since the beginning of the Olympic Games. But some cannot help but get enthusiastic, such as MP Thomas Portes relaying the prowess of the “immense Teddy Riner” and the “exceptional Léon Marchand” or his colleague Antoine Léaument, observing the jubilation with a benevolent eye: “These scenes of joy are a pleasure to see. Sport brings people together and that is a good thing.”
These somewhat embarrassed celebrations are the best tribute to the popular success of the event: if even the anti-Olympics are losing their voice, it is because they have perceived what pleasure the competition provides to the population. And there is reason to rejoice: only fools never change their minds.