'Indecent': Macron's awkward embrace with sports minister at Paris Olympics raises eyebrows

The internet is abuzz with discussions about photographs capturing a touchy-feely moment between French President Emmanuel Macron and his sports minister, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The images show the 46-year-old Macron firmly gripping the arm of Oudéa-Castéra, also 46 and a former professional tennis player, who serves as the country's minister of sports.
In the photograph, Oudéa-Castéra reacts to the affectionate gesture by holding Macron's bicep with one hand while the other is draped around his neck while kissing.
Adding to the awkwardness of the situation is the positioning of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, who seems to be deliberately looking away.
"Gabriel Attal, he pretends to look elsewhere! He doesn't know where to stand!" one user commented.
Another said, "It's my lover that I'm kissing like this. Embarrassing."
A disapproving individual expressed, "I find this photo indecent, it's not worthy of a president and a minister."
The intriguing photograph was brought to the public's attention by French magazine Madame Figaro, which described the kiss as "strange" and suggested that Oudéa-Castéra, also known as AOC in France, has a tendency to draw attention to herself.
As the first Olympics in France in a century came to life, Oudéa-Castéra has been at the forefront of the event.
Oudéa-Castéra recently swam in the Seine River to address concerns about elevated E coli levels in the iconic waterway, which is set to host several events during the upcoming games. However, a pre-race triathlon event scheduled for Sunday was called off due to water quality issues.
In January, Macron appointed Oudéa-Castéra as France's education minister, but she was removed from the position in less than a month. This decision followed disclosures that she had enrolled her children in prestigious private schools and made critical comments about the public schools in her area.
While some users on X expressed disapproval of the celebratory hug, not everyone shared the same sentiment. "A slightly warm congratulation to celebrate the moment," wrote one user in defence of the gesture.