The 2024 Paris Olympics organizers have faced criticism following the release of a controversial opening ceremony video that included a parody of biblical ‘The Last Supper’.
The performance, which featured drag queens (men dressed in women’s clothing), re-enacting the famous biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles sharing a last meal before crucifixion, has drawn criticism for being disrespectful to Christian beliefs.
In light of the backlash, the Paris 2024 organizing committee has removed the video from YouTube, leaving many viewers unable to access it.
Attempts to access the video sends a user to a message stating, “this video is not available.”
Critics have taken to social media to voice their outrage, with some sharing screenshots of the inaccessible video on the streaming platform, YouTube.
Prominent figures, including Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, have condemned the portrayal as offensive and an embarrassment for France and Europe.
Paris Olympics Faces Backlash
Salvini emphasized that the Olympics should be a unifying event, not one that sparks division and controversy.
“Opening the Olympics by insulting billions of Christians in the world was really a very bad start, dear French. Sleazy,” he said.
Tech mogul and X owner, Elon Musk, also weighed in the controversial topic stating that the opening segment was “extremely disrespectful to Christians.”
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The opening ceremony, which attracted over 300,000 attendees along the Seine River, was notable for its unconventional style.
The event featured performances from notable artists, dancers, and fashion icons, and aimed to showcase the vibrant culture of Paris.
However, many felt that the execution was misguided, particularly given the religious imagery involved.
French Church Condemns the Incident
The French Catholic Church expressed disappointment, stating that while some aspects of the performance were beautiful, the overall presentation was inappropriate and disrespectful.
“Last night’s opening ceremony, organized by the French COJOP, offered the world a marvelous display of beauty and joy, rich in emotion and universally acclaimed.”
“This ceremony unfortunately included scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity, which we deeply regret,” said the French church.
The church expressed their firm belief that the principles expressed and disseminated by the Olympics should be respectful of everyone’s convictions and not just a few individuals.
“We are thinking of all the Christians on every continent who have been hurt by the outrageousness and provocation of certain scenes.
“We want them to understand that the Olympic celebration goes far beyond the ideological biases of a few artists,” read the statement,
Supporters Defend the Controversial Performance
However, supporters of the ceremony defended it as a celebration of artistic freedom and inclusivity.
Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening ceremony, emphasized that the intention was not to mock but to embrace creative expression.
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He asserted that the performance aimed to reflect France’s values of diversity and acceptance, stating, “In France, we enjoy creative freedom and artistic expression.”
Other commentators have suggested that the controversial segment was misinterpreted arguing that the scene was meant to represent an ancient Greek Bacchanal rather than “The Last Supper,” terming it as a celebration of the Olympics’ historical roots in ancient Greece.
As the backlash continues, the Paris 2024 organizing committee has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the public’s concerns or explaining the video’s removal.
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