The Boos and Cheers: Argentina’s Unexpected Rivalry at the Paris Olympics

The Unwritten Rule of Olympic Conduct

The Olympic Games have traditionally been governed by an unspoken rule: if spectators can’t express something positive, it’s better to remain silent. Jeering, whistling, and catcalling at athletes who have dedicated years of their lives to reach the zenith of their sports is considered “unacceptable,” as noted by Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee. In this context, to boo is essentially taboo.

However, it seems that the French audience has found a notable exception to this rule: anyone clad in the sky blue and white of Argentina. In the early days of the Paris Games, Argentina faced a chorus of boos before, during, and after a men’s soccer match held in Marseille. This hostility persisted for three consecutive days, with Argentina’s men’s rugby sevens team receiving a warm welcome of jeers at the packed Stade de France. Each time one of the rugby players dared to touch the ball, the crowd responded with disdain, making their feelings abundantly clear.

Argentina’s national anthem was also met with a mix of jeers and somewhat gentler reactions when the team made its debut in the men’s volleyball tournament at the South Paris Arena on Saturday evening. This persistent animosity has left some of Argentina’s opponents scratching their heads, wondering about the source of such fervor. Nicholas Malouf, an Australian rugby sevens player, admitted he “did not know the background” behind this palpable tension. Similarly, Antony Mboya, representing Kenya in the same sport, speculated that the local French crowd was merely “backing an underdog.”

In truth, the animosity is far more specific and targeted than it might seem. Both sides have begun to grasp that, at this particular moment, France harbors a distinct aversion towards Argentina. “It has transformed into a genuine rivalry for us,” remarked Jules Briand, a devoted French fan who made the trip not only to cheer for his team in rugby sevens but also to indulge in a bit of playful jeering.