The Olympics aims to put on a spectacle where competitors from all over the world compete to make their countries proud. However, this year’s Paris Olympics sparked a slew of controversy and criticism. As such, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, among many others, spoke out against the organizers.
The Paris Olympics held a ceremony of various drag queens recreating the iconic Last Supper scene from the Bible. Many viewers and athletes found it extremely distasteful and offensive. Makhachev previously took to X to show his disappointment about the Paris Olympics. Later, in an interview, the champion mentioned that he didn’t appreciate anything the Olympics broadcast showed.
I watched some highlights of the Olympics opening ceremony. It was disgusting. This is disrespect for all religions, for all human values in general. Honestly, I even planned to go to the Olympics but after what I saw, I don’t want to go there.
Islam Makhachev via Ushatayka YouTube channel
Makhachev also suggested that the Olympics should be brought back to Russia and that they will show the right way. The champion believed that in Russia, people respected sports and its athletes and would do a way better job than Paris. The last time Russia hosted the Olympics was in 2014 (Winter Olympics), which took place in Sochi.
Islam Makhachev bashes the “disgusting” Olympics opening ceremony:
“I watched some highlights of the Olympics opening ceremony. It was disgusting. This is disrespect for all religions, for all human values in general.
Honestly, I even planned to go to the Olympics but after… pic.twitter.com/dyDyE038sp
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) July 28, 2024
As expected, Makhachev wasn’t the only one from combat sports who criticized the Paris Olympics ceremony. Popular boxer Ryan Garcia took to X and urged his fans to boycott the Olympics for disrespecting Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, the frustration on Islam Makhachev’s side was quite understandable given his affinity and respect towards other sports which are in the Olympics.
Islam Makhachev loves Olympic sports
Besides being an absolute beast and pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC, Islam Makhachev is a great athlete. The fighter has various hobbies other than fighting, where he generally excels easily. Makhachev is a huge fan of Judo, an extremely popular sport in the Olympics. Makhachev also trains and uses judo trips regularly during his fights.
Islam Makhachev doing Judo and gymnastics (via X)This year, in February, Islam Makhachev was also present at the Paris Grand Slam 2024 as an honorable guest. The lightweight champion shared the images on social media and was hyped to be a part of the judo tournament. He experienced such an energetic judo tournament and then watched the disastrous Olympic ceremony in Paris. This might be one of the bigger reasons for his criticism of the organizers.
Other than judo, Islam Makhachev is also known for his gymnastic skills. The lightweight champion has posted videos of comfortably doing backflips and other gymnastic moves. All these skills have also helped the fighter to become a better athlete and use it during his fights.
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