Paris: During the opening ceremony of the Olympics, French Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, 46, was seen hugging President Emmanuel Macron tightly and kissing him on the neck, with the photos going viral on social media.
According to the British newspaper “The Telegraph,” this scene took place during the Paris Olympics’ grand and unprecedented opening ceremony on the Seine River.
In the opening parade, 7,500 competitors traveled six kilometers on the Seine River on a flotilla of 85 boats.
During the opening ceremony, the French Sports Minister, who is also a former athlete, could not contain her emotions at the grand event and hugged the President upon seeing him.
A photo was taken at that moment and was first published by the local magazine “Madame Figaro,” after which it spread widely on social media.
The photo also includes other ministers and high-ranking officials.
Social media users made interesting comments on the photo. Some wrote poetry, while others sang songs; however, most users disapproved of the gesture and criticized the female sports minister.
Users remarked that the sports minister did not consider the appropriateness of the moment or the significance of the international event.
There has been no response from French President Emmanuel Macron or the sports minister regarding the photo.