In a scathing critique, Russia has lashed out at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, labeling it a "massive failure." The condemnation, delivered by the foreign ministry's spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, cited a plethora of shortcomings at the event.

Among the criticisms leveled by Zakharova was the lack of live broadcasting of the ceremony on Russian television. Expressing astonishment, Zakharova remarked, "I couldn't believe it wasn't a deep fake or photoshopped when I saw the photos." This comment suggests that the visual presentation of the event left much to be desired.

The participation of Russian athletes in the Games has been severely restricted, with only a few competitors approved to compete under the "neutral" flag. This ban comes as a result of Russia's military offensive in Ukraine.

Zakharova particularly singled out the outdoor opening ceremony, which she described as "ridiculous" and criticized for its failure to make arrangements for the pouring rain. Mocking the organizers' oversight, she mentioned Russia's practice of seeding clouds or providing awnings to ensure smooth outdoor events.

Moreover, France's apprehension of a Russian individual just before the commencement of the Games, alleging a "destabilization" plot, was met with skepticism by Zakharova. She wondered aloud about the extent to which undercover agents may have been deployed to cause havoc during the opening ceremony, questioning the event's seamless execution.

Transportation issues and three arson attacks on the rail system further exacerbated Russia's criticism. Zakharova ridiculed France's claims of sabotage, labeling the situation as a "transport collapse."

Zakharova also took issue with a segment of the opening ceremony featuring drag queens, which some interpreted as a parody of The Last Supper. She denounced the portrayal of the Apostles as transvestites, deeming it a "mockery of a sacred story for Christians."

Concluding her statement, Zakharova claimed that the center of Paris had been transformed into a "ghetto for homeless people" and that the streets were overrun by rats. Her scathing remarks insinuated that the overall atmosphere of the city was highly subpar during the Olympic festivities.

While Russia's criticisms may reflect its discontent with various aspects of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, it remains to be seen how these remarks will be received by the international community. The Games, now underway, will bring athletes from around the world together to compete in the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.