Since their creation, the Olympic Games have been a soft power . International showcase, the organization of such an event exposes its host to the eyes of the whole world. The opportunity for this one to show up in his best day, but in return, to be exposed to many criticisms. Supposed cancellation of the JOP2024, exaggerated traffic restrictions, fictitious terrorist threats, inability to contain security threats or even presumed unpopularity of the games ... In fact, on social networks like X, Facebook or Tik Tok, many Fake-News have been circulating for weeks. These also come from information sites to dubious sources.
The massive dissemination of 2024 anti-Jop propaganda could partly occur in retaliation for the exclusion of Russia from competition following its human rights violations in Ukraine. The goal remains, as a rule, to destabilize the organization and the smooth running of the event, while seeking to undermine the morale of the French, that of potential tourists and other spectators. This intelligently takes roots on pre-existing public concerns, to lower the attendance of such an appointment and harm its image. All, to disturb the French soft power.
One of the most relayed online content is a false video, allegedly sourced by the CIA, alerting to a "high terrorist threat" for the JOP 2024 in Paris. On the subject, the Microsoft company quickly denounced other similar posts, actually coming from a Russian influence group "Storm-1679". While certain publications claim to come from international security actors such as the CIA, others, would come from ordinary Internet users. The multitude of disseminated profiles and fakes demonstrate a sharp organization of this disinformation. In total, 14 false stories would have been identified, in 13 different languages. To all this, the IOC responded on July 3 on X: “[…] The president of the IOC and the entire Olympic movement are looking forward to the excellent Olympic Games in Paris 2024, starting with the opening ceremony on July 26. »»
Quentin Ballue
Historically, "Le Trap de Coubertin"
The adage that " politics has no place in sport " is a utopia . Since their rebirth in 1896, the Olympic and Paralympic Games have been a political platform to assert the power of its country and its nation. This, especially for the host country. Organizing JOP is promoting your culture, its values, but also demonstrating your strength. Thus, the history of the games is marked by the social and societal phenomena of each era crossed. In this way, each edition has its share of propaganda and disinformation.
In 1936, the Nazi diet organized the Berlin Games. In order to hide the rise of its anti -Semitic ideology, the German government then orchestrates an important propaganda campaign. Rebelote during the cold war period. The Moscow then Los Angeles Games, respectively in 1980 and 1984, were boycotted by the opposing block. More recently, the 2008 Beijing Olympics were the subject of strong criticism from the international community which denounced Chinese repression in Tibet. In 2022, the Winter Olympics organized in China this time suffered from the American diplomatic boycott. Finally, the 2016 Games in Rio were impacted by a disinformation campaign relating to the Zika virus. This had caused the withdrawal of certain athletes, for fear of contamination.
