“The Awkwardness”: French President Macron’s Steamy Embrace With Sports Minister Called “Indecent”

Athletes are not the only ones making headlines following the kickoff of the 2024 Paris Olympics—French President Emmanuel Macron is also getting plenty of time in the spotlight, especially after photos of him sharing a rather intimate moment with his sports minister went viral.

In an encounter that could easily be mistaken for a romantic embrace, the 46-year-old president was seen gripping the arm of the former tennis pro, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, also 46, during the Olympics opener on Friday, July 26.

The sports minister had one hand clutching the French leader’s bicep and another arm wrapped around his neck as she laid a kiss on his cheek.

French President Emmanuel Macron shared an embrace with sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra that caused a stir online

“The Awkwardness”: French President Macron’s Steamy Embrace With Sports Minister Called “Indecent”

Image credits: Sipa USA via VidaPress

‘Too personal kiss’ between Macron and French sports minister amélie oudéa- castéra at Paris olympic raises the eyebrows; netizens says ‘indecent’.#feedmile #EmmanuelMacron #kiss #sportsminister #amélieoudéa #Paris2024Olympic #france pic.twitter.com/AcTA7fw8w6
— Feedmile (@feedmileapp) July 31, 2024

Some people shook their head in disapproval over the embrace while others thought it was pretty harmless.

“It’s my lover that I’m kissing like this. Embarrassing,” one wrote while another disdainfully said, “I find this photo indecent, it’s not worthy of a president and a minister.”

One wrote, “Brigitte [Macron’s wife] won’t like it.”

“Ooh la la,” said one comment about the kiss while another asked, “What’s this kiss between Oudéa and Macron??!”

Emmanuel Macron et la Ministre des Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra !#ceremoniedouverture #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/iXZSnCvXhJ
— Caroline KACI ⵣ 🌿🌿ⓩ (@Kabylissima2) July 27, 2024

Some thought Prime Minister Gabriel Attal’s apparent discomfort in the background added to the awkwardness.

“Gabriel Attal, he pretends to look elsewhere! He doesn’t know where to stand!” one said.

Others didn’t think there was anything unusual about the encounter, with one saying, “I don’t see the harm in it. The French are known for kissing on both cheeks as a greeting. Vive La France!”

French magazine Madame Figaro was one of the first to highlight the kiss, and the outlet described the sports minister as someone who “certainly knows how to get people talking about her.”

Emmanuel has been married to his high school teacher, 71-year-old Brigitte Macron, since 2007

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Emmanuel et Brigitte Macron (@emmanueletbrigittemacron)

President Emmanuel has been married to his 71-year-old wife, Brigitte, for nearly two decades. Brigitte was his high school teacher while he was a student at Le Providence, a Catholic school in northern France.

The two did not date immediately but stayed in touch for years. Their relationship eventually bloomed, and they tied knot in 2007.

The French leader declared the 2024 Paris Olympic Games open during the kick-off ceremony on Friday, July 26

RT @EmmanuelMacron: Les Jeux de Paris 2024 sont ouverts ! pic.twitter.com/q1jYiIy7JK
— Paris 2024 Olympics (English) (@OlympicsParis) July 26, 2024

Emmanuel declared the 2024 Paris Olympic Games open during the kick-off ceremony in Paris on a rainy Friday last week.

The ceremony saw several viral moments, including a colorful ensemble of “Drag Queens,” men in underwear, and other characters performing what appeared to be a reenactment of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

Team USA also sparked up a heated discussing online about their Ralph Lauren uniforms, with some calling it “embarrassing.”

The opening ceremony sparked several discussions, including one about Team USA’s Ralph Lauren uniforms

why does team USA look like they are going to a private school to sing show tunes https://t.co/wH7IoUEoib
— anna 🎥 (@berzattto) July 27, 2024

“Ralph Lauren embarrassing team USA once again with these fits,” one wrote on X while another said, “You know it’s not working when Devin Booker (who is clearly trying everything he can to alter/salvage the uniform) looks bad.”

Working as a writer for Bored Panda offers an added layer of excitement. By afternoon, I'm fully immersed in the whirlwind of celebrity drama, and by evening, I'm navigating through the bustling universe of likes, shares, and clicks. This role not only allows me to delve into the fascinating world of pop culture but also lets me do what I love: weave words together and tell other people's captivating stories to the world

Read less »

What do you think ?

POST

martin734 4 months ago

They are French, this is just a polite hello.

15points

Sarah Léon 4 months ago

Well... I'm French and yes we kiss to say hello and goodbye, but not like that ! I have to say, a lot of French people laughed about that, saying we finally know why he kept her in her job whereas she made some really big bad mistakes ! But yes, we are not shocked or whatever. We just laugh. I mean... the former one cheated on his girlfriend when he was our President and the scooter he used to go to see his now girlfriend has just been sold for some money ! It's not so bad, it's just funny to see.

12points

Load More Replies...

Bec 4 months ago

This post is lacking in facts or evidence, I can't make much out of 1 still picture and the clip posted is unrelated.

9points

KatSaidWhat 4 months ago

Was also thinking I would like to see the actual video footage as from that picture, it looks like she actually instigated it.

3points

Load More Replies...

Donkeywheel 4 months ago (edited)

The Olympic Games are happening right now and the only things BP seems to be able to talk about are a perfectly normal kiss between two adults, the attractive body of a swimmer, the outfits of the national teams, the hair of an athlete, the geeky face of another, a tinder quest and so on.. Nothing, absolutely nothing about sport, performances, celebrations etc. BP is becoming a big pile of gossip s**t.

8points

Graham_Illegal 4 months ago

Wait, what was BP like before? Was it similar to the Journal of Human Genetics?

1point

Load More Replies...

Load More Comments

POST

martin734 4 months ago

They are French, this is just a polite hello.

15points

Sarah Léon 4 months ago

12points

Load More Replies...

Bec 4 months ago

This post is lacking in facts or evidence, I can't make much out of 1 still picture and the clip posted is unrelated.

9points

KatSaidWhat 4 months ago

Was also thinking I would like to see the actual video footage as from that picture, it looks like she actually instigated it.

3points

Load More Replies...

Donkeywheel 4 months ago (edited)

8points

“The Awkwardness”: French President Macron’s Steamy Embrace With Sports Minister Called “Indecent”

French President Emmanuel Macron shared an embrace with sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra that caused a stir online

“Ooh la la,” said one comment about the kiss while another asked, “What’s this kiss between Oudéa and Macron??!”

Emmanuel has been married to his high school teacher, 71-year-old Brigitte Macron, since 2007

The French leader declared the 2024 Paris Olympic Games open during the kick-off ceremony on Friday, July 26

The opening ceremony sparked several discussions, including one about Team USA’s Ralph Lauren uniforms

Games

Binitha Jacob

Binitha Jacob