President Macron causes a stir with provocative hug with sports minister at Olympics: ‘Ooh la la’
A photo of French President Emmanuel Macron receiving a passionate kiss from his sports minister has caused a stir online.
Macron, 46, was pictured embracing Amélie Oudéa-Castéra during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.
Oudéa-Castéra, also 46, holds the back of Macron’s head and kisses him on the cheek. The two hold each other.
In the photo, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal looks away uncomfortably as the two kiss passionately.
The French magazine Madame Figaro called it a “strange kiss” and noted that the minister “clearly knows how to make people talk about her.”
Macron, 46, was captured sharing a tight embrace with Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, also 46, during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics
French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, right, looks away as the two share a passionate kiss
The magazine wrote: ‘After the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the pressure was off and euphoria set in.
‘In an explosion of joy, Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera and President Emmanuel Macron kissed each other. The kiss caused quite a stir.’
Online commentators, meanwhile, were quick to point out that the two are closely linked.
Someone wrote: ‘What kind of kiss is this between Oudea and Macron??!’ while another commentator added: ‘Brigitte [Macron’s wife] won’t like it’.
Another added: ‘Damn son! That’s a weird hug!’, while another added: ‘Ooh la la.’
One user was even more critical, adding: ‘I find this photo offensive, it is unworthy of a president and a minister.’
Still, not everyone could be convinced of the embrace. For example, one user wrote: ‘I don’t see anything wrong with it.
Online commentators were quick to point out that the two have a close bond
Macron, flanked by his wife Brigitte Macron, leaves after voting in the second round of the French parliamentary elections at a polling station in Le Touquet, northern France on July 7, 2024
‘The French are known for kissing each other on both cheeks as a greeting. Vive La France!’
Oudéa-Castéra caused a stir earlier this month when she dived into the River Seine to convince the world that the river was fit for Olympic athletes.
She shared a video on her social media saying, “Promise kept,” referring to her previous pledge to get into the water before the Games.
Despite this, a number of events have had to be postponed due to concerns about water quality.
Concerns about cleanliness led to the postponement of Tuesday’s men’s triathlon, but organizers hope the swimming event can resume soon after a cleanup.
Organizers said they hope to hold the men’s triathlon on Wednesday and that the women’s race will also take place that day.
Both procedures are only performed if water tests show sufficient E. coli and other bacteria are present.
