With a deep sense of regret, the organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have issued an apology following criticism of scenes from Friday’s opening ceremony that sparked controversy.
The ceremony included a segment featuring drag artists in a performance that depicted a modern interpretation of a Last Supper-like scene. This drew ire from Christian groups, who perceived it as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper,’ a revered biblical depiction.
Among the critics was the Catholic Church in France, which condemned the ceremony for what it described as “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity.”
C Spire, a US telecommunications company and a major sponsor of the Olympic Games, announced it would withdraw its advertising in response to what it termed the ‘mockery of the Last Supper.’
Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s artistic director, clarified that the intention was not to offend any religious group. He explained that the scene was intended to reference pagan gods, not to mock Christianity.
“There was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group,” stated Paris 2024 spokeswoman Anne Descamps during a press briefing on Sunday. “On the contrary, Thomas Jolly aimed to celebrate community tolerance. While achieving this ambition, we sincerely apologise if anyone has been offended.”
In an interview with French broadcaster BFM, Jolly elaborated, “The idea was to create a grand pagan celebration linked to the gods of Olympus.
You’ll never find any desire to mock or denigrate anyone in my work. I wanted a ceremony that unites people, reconciles differences, and affirms our values of liberty, equality, and fraternity.”
The controversy underscores the complex and delicate task event organisers face in balancing artistic expression with sensitivity to cultural and religious beliefs, particularly in high-profile international events like the Olympics. The Paris 2024 Organisers have navigated this balance with the utmost care and respect.
