Creepy moment at Olympics women's swimming semifinal that viewers didn't see coming

NANTERRE, FRANCE: Swimming fans were left bewildered by a bizarre twist during the women’s 200m freestyle semifinal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

On Sunday, July 28, American swimmer Claire Weinstein clinched victory with a time of 1:55.24 at the Paris La Defense Arena, outpacing Czech star Barbora Seemanova and Canadian Mary-Sophie Harvey. However, it wasn’t just the race that caught viewers off guard.

Harvey Weinstein’s name appears on Paris Olympics results

While watching the race on TV, audiences were stunned to see the name of convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein displayed on the results graphic. The disgraced film mogul, whose actions were a catalyst for the #MeToo movement is currently hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia. Weinstein was previously convicted of sexual offenses in New York and Los Angeles. His 23-year sentence was overturned in New York earlier this year, though his Los Angeles conviction remains. 

Sports journalist Debbie Spillane highlighted the eerie graphic on X, remarking on the strange coincidence: “Creepy moment in the swimming at #Paris2024.”

Paris 2024 final line-up

Despite this unsettling error, all three swimmers shown in the graphic—Claire Weinstein, Barbora Seemanova, and Mary-Sophie Harvey—are set to compete in the women’s 200m freestyle final, scheduled for 5:48 am Tuesday AEST at Paris La Defense Arena. They will face off against Australian world record holder Ariarne Titmus and her key competitor, Mollie O'Callaghan.

Titmus and O'Callaghan both advanced to the final as the top two qualifiers. Titmus narrowly edged out O'Callaghan, finishing with a time of 1:54.64, just six-hundredths of a second faster. "You always want to be in the middle of the pool in a final and get yourself in a good position," said Titmus.

"But that was really the only plan for tonight, I tried to conserve as much as I could." Six weeks ago, Titmus broke O'Callaghan's world record, and she is now aiming to become the first swimmer to successfully defend both the 200m and 400m freestyle titles at an Olympic Games.

Harvey Weinstein's legal woes

Harvey Weinstein, whose exposure in 2017 helped ignite the #MeToo movement, faced numerous allegations of sexual harassment and assault from multiple women. His legal battles have been complex and ongoing.

In February 2020, Weinstein was found guilty in New York of sexually assaulting former production assistant Miriam Haley in 2006 and raping aspiring actress Jessica Mann in 2013. However, those charges were overturned earlier this year after state appellate judges ruled that he did not receive a fair trial. A tentative new date for a retrial has been set, with jury selection scheduled to begin on November 12.

The executive producer of 'Django Unchained' was acquitted of first-degree rape and two counts of predatory sexual assault from actor Annabella Sciorra’s allegations of rape in the 1990s. He has denied ever engaging in non-consensual sex.

In December 2022, he was found guilty of rape, forced oral copulation, and another sexual misconduct count involving a woman known as Jane Doe 1. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison in February 2023. Weinstein's legal team has vowed to appeal that conviction as well. He also faces charges in London for two alleged offenses in 1996.

Internet reacts to bizarre graphic error during Paris Olympics swimming event

The Paris Olympics swimming event took an unexpected turn when a graphic error displayed the name of convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein instead of the actual athletes. .

"Yikes !" tweeted a user.

"Even the first name fits into the scenario...," mocked a second.

"Seemanova = immaculate conception," chimed a third.

"I was like thats an unfortunate last name to have. Didn't realise Harvey was underneath it. Oh well.." read a tweet.

"Just be grateful the camera angles not from the opposite direction," penned a user.

"Oh dear," said a user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.