Paris Opening Ceremony fumbled its flag raising by flying the iconic Olympic rings upside down

One of the key components of the Olympic Opening Ceremony is the arrival of the official flag of the games.

You know the one. The five interlocked rings on a white background. If you’re unfamiliar, just look at any photo of the Eiffel Tower, which is boasting a giant version of the logo right now.

Well, the arrival of the flag in Paris on Friday evening took the event to a whole new level. The flag and its bearer went on a trip down the river Seine  — like every other part of the ceremony — but it wasn’t on a boat. It was on a floating chrome horse that looked like it was galloping across the water.

SUMMER (Olympics) RENAISSANCE #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/vLkhp79kBn

— Peacock (@peacock) July 26, 2024

How epic!

After such an incredible entrance it seemed like the ceremony was about to stick the landing. All they had to do was get the flag attached to the pole and raise it up.

That, uh, proved more challenging than it should’ve.

As many viewers pointed out in real time, the flag was accidentally attached upside down. WHOOPS! You can check it out here.

Magnifique! #Paris2024 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/wYn6J2aBie

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 26, 2024

Yes it was upside down. Even the flags given up on this. #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/Yz1T62qT4h

— Ben (@CabinClassBoy) July 26, 2024

It’s three rings on top, two rings on bottom, y’all.

If you need a reminder, there’s still that GIANT LOGO visible on the Eiffel Tower.