French Performer Carries Paralympic Torch in Defiant Act Against Hate Speech

Barbara Butch, a French performer and DJ, carried the Paralympic torch as a defiant stand against hate speech she faced after the Olympic opening ceremony. She filed a legal complaint against online abuse and is part of nearly 1,000 torch bearers highlighting inclusion in sport across France.

French performer Barbara Butch made a bold statement by carrying the Paralympic torch, standing firm against hate speech she encountered after her appearance during the Olympic Games' opening ceremony.

In a pre-event interview with France Info, Butch emphasized her determination not to succumb to fear: ''I chose not to be afraid to exist in the public space.'' Representing France as a popular DJ and LGBTQ+ icon, she proudly walked onstage with the torch at a musical event in Saint-Cloud. ''I know I represent France in the same way as anyone else,'' she declared.

Following her Olympic performance on July 26, Butch endured severe online harassment, including death threats and insults, prompting her to file a formal legal complaint. She was not alone; five other artists, including the ceremony's artistic director, Thomas Jolly, also reported abuse. Despite receiving ''tens of thousands of hate messages,'' a dedicated team managed to identify ''hundreds'' of perpetrators, giving Butch hope for justice. ''Justice will do its job and then we will tackle the international level,'' she asserted.

Butch joins nearly 1,000 torch bearers in relaying the Paralympic flame through 50 cities in France, promoting inclusion in sport and raising awareness about living with disabilities. The flame, divided among 12 torches, will converge in central Paris, culminating in a grand opening ceremony.

(With inputs from agencies.)