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    What's true and false about Paris Olympics: Fact check roundup

    By Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY,

    3 hours ago

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2n3sP6_0ukjSQyO00

    The 2024 Paris Olympics officially kicked off on July 26 with an opening ceremony that entertained some, offended others and spurred an array of false claims online.

    As the Games have progressed, social media users have continued to spread misinformation about the Olympic athletes, team uniforms and demonstrations supposedly organized in response to the opening ceremony.

    Here's a roundup of checks about the 2024 Paris Olympics from the USA TODAY Fact Check Team:

    More from the Fact Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page

    Claim: Image shows China's Olympic uniform inspired by Palestinian flag

    Our rating: False

    The photo was featured in a 2023 issue of Vogue China and doesn't show the 2024 Olympic design. China's uniform for the Paris Olympics is red and white.

    Full fact check: Post shows 2023 photoshoot, not Chinese Olympic uniform

    Claim: Algerian judo athlete withdrew from Olympics before match against Israeli opponent

    Our rating: False

    The International Judo Foundation said the athlete was disqualified because he failed his weigh-in. He didn't withdraw from the match.

    Full fact check: Judo athlete failed weigh-in, didn't withdraw from Olympics

    Claim: Image shows Israel's swim team at Paris Olympics spelling, 'Bring them home now'

    Our rating: False

    Israel's artistic swimming team posted the image to social media in November 2023, more than eight months before the 2024 Paris Olympics.

    Full fact check: Image of Israeli swimmers spelling 'bring them home now' predates Paris Games

    Claim: Video shows worship service in Paris after Olympics opening ceremony

    Our rating: False

    The scene shown here has nothing to do with the Olympics. The video was captured at a Christian march on May 25, more than two months before the opening ceremony.

    Full fact check: Viral prayer video captured months before Paris Olympics

    Claim: Volleyball player convicted of rape is playing for US Olympic team

    Our rating: False

    The beach volleyball player shown in the image, Steven van de Velde, competes for the Netherlands, not the U.S. He was convicted in 2016 of raping a child and served one year in prison.

    Full fact check: Beach volleyball player convicted of rape plays for the Dutch team, not US

    Claim: Video shows Christians singing in France after Olympics opening ceremony

    Our rating: False

    The video predates the 2024 Olympic Games by nearly two years. A French religious site posted the clip to social media in August 2022, saying it showed a crowd commemorating a Christian feast.

    Full fact check: Video shows crowd during Christian feast, not praying after Olympics

    Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here .

    USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta .

    This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What's true and false about Paris Olympics: Fact check roundup

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