France flew the Olympic flag upside down – here’s how Australia made the SAME mistake at the Opening Ceremony for Sydney 2000 Games

It was a sense of déjà vu for many sports fans after French officials were left red-faced when the Olympic flag was hoisted upside down at the Opening Ceremony.

Incredibly, a similar scene unfolded at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Aussie sporting legend Cathy Freeman – who later won gold on the track in the 400m at the same venue – was given the honour of lighting the cauldron.

Problem was the iconic rings were placed the wrong way around her bodysuit.

Fast forward 24 years in Paris and the blunder quickly became a talking point on social media.

‘Those who managed to stay awake [during the Opening Ceremony] were treated to the Olympic flag being flown upside down,’ journalist Dan Wetzel tweeted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

‘If you are having a bad day at work, it could be worse. You could be the flag team that hoisted the Olympic Flag upside down at the Opening Ceremony,’ posted another Games fan.

A third weighed in with: ‘I’m in awe of France spending millions on a lavish, ceremony that culminates in sending the Olympic flag down the Seine on a robot horse for nearly half an hour, the central moment of the event, only for them to raise it upside down.’

Incredibly, a similar scene unfolded at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 – Aussie track star Cathy Freeman (pictured) was given the honour of lighting the cauldron – problem was the iconic rings were placed the wrong way around her bodysuit

The Olympic rings lit up under the Eiffel Tower where Celine Dion performed at the Opening Ceremony

Torrential rain in Paris marred the Opening Ceremony with many spectators seen wearing ponchos and holding umbrellas 

While the performance of French-speaking Canadian singer Celine Dion was incredibly moving, the event was dampened by torrential rain that led spectators, celebrities, politicians and royals from around the world to cower under umbrellas.

France’s bold plan to hold the opening event outdoors rather than inside a stadium was criticised by many who watched the historic night, with some slamming it as the ‘worst Olympic opening ceremony in memory.’

In what was branded as a weather ‘disaster’ by French meteorologists, athletes were forced to don plastic ponchos and shield with umbrellas as they tried to keep spirits up while being lashed by the elements.

Other bizarre elements of the four-hour ceremony, included a performance by French ‘national treasure’ Phillippe Katerine, who was seen lying on a boat, naked and painted blue, covered by a fruit platter.

Speaking after her performance – which was marred by sound issues – pop star Lady Gaga told the crowd: ‘I feel so completely grateful to have been asked to open the Paris Olympics 2024 this year.

‘I am also humbled to be asked by the Olympics organising committee to sing such a special French song – a song to honour the French people and their tremendous history of art, music and theatre.’

Amongst those attending the Opening Ceremony were a string of famous faces, including pop princess Arianna Grande, tennis legend Serena Williams and Hollywood royalty Stephen Spielberg.

Rolling Stone rock icon Mick Jagger, basketball great LeBron James, actress Queen Latifia and rapper Snoop Dogg were also seen in the crowd.

Three-time Olympic medalist and Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet welcomed everyone to the Games, telling the crowd: ‘For the next 16 days, you will be the best version of humanity.

‘You’ll remind us that the emotions of sport form a universal language that we all share. Until 11 August, we will be by your side.

‘Your defeats will be our defeats. Your victories will be our victories. Your emotions will be our emotions.’