The Paris Olympics produced one of the most controversial opening ceremony performances in recent decades last week, and organizers and directors have now responded to the backlash.
Apology For the Olympic Opening
The organizers of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony have publicly apologized after one performance caused controversy around the globe, with some groups accusing the organizers of mocking Christianity
“There was never an intention to show disrespect to a religious group. If people have taken any offense, we are, of course, really sorry,” said Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Infamous Tableau
The controversy centered around a tableau where a handful of dancers and drag queens sang and performed in front of a long banquet table, including “LGBT icon” and DJ Barbara Butch.
It took place on the Debilly Footbridge over the Seine River and featured one performer who was painted blue and portrayed Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, festivals, and theatre.
Religious and conservative groups around the world expressed outrage over the performance, which they believed was an outright mockery of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting ‘The Last Supper.’ The painting in question depicted Jesus Christ sharing his last meal with apostates before his crucifixion.
Apology and Refusal
Now, representatives and artists involved in the opening ceremony scene have come forward to apologize for the controversy the scene caused – while still denying its connection to the Last Supper.
Descamps gave further context for and acknowledgment of the public outrage during an International Olympic Committee news conference on Sunday.
Celebrating “Community Tolerance”
“On the contrary, I think (with) Thomas Jolly, we really did try to celebrate community tolerance,” she said. “Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved.”
Creative Director Speaks
Thomas Jolly, the artist and creative director behind the performance, also acknowledged the backlash against his work while denying its connection to Da Vinci’s work and Christianity as a whole.
During an interview appearance on France’s BFMTV Jolly gave more insight into the inspiration for the scene. The performance was linked to “Festivity” and grounded in ancient Greek imagery rather than Christian imagery hence the performer dressed as Dionysus.
No Intention to Make Fun
“The intention was to establish a sizable heathen gathering connected to the God of Mount Olympus,” Jolly elaborated. “You won’t find any intention to make fun of anyone in myself or my work.”
Jolly also spoke to the Associated Press after the ceremony, explaining that his intention was not to “be subversive, nor to mock or to shock,” and that the tableau was meant as “a message of love, a message of inclusion.”
Philippe Katerine, the French actor, and singer who portrayed the blue-skinned Dionysus, also apologized for the performance in a statement to CNN.
What It Comes Down to
“I ask for forgiveness if I have offended anyone, and the Christians of the world will grant me that, I’m sure,” Katerine said. “When it comes down to it, it wasn’t about representing ‘The Last Supper’ at all.”
Despite their claims, many conservative public figures and religious organizations immediately flocked to decry the performance publically.
Elon Musk and Others
Figures including actor Rob Schneider, The View co-host Candace Cameron Bure, and Fox News host Piers Morgan were part of the uproar. Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk used his platform to describe the performance as “extremely disrespectful to Christians.”
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of France also spoke up. While they did not single out the tableau, they issued a public statement expressing their disappointment over the ceremony’s purported “derision and mockery” of Christianity.
Lawmakers Speak
Even political figures came forward to condemn the performance, such as the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova and U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
Outrage Over LGBTQ
Much of the outrage over the performance had to do with the presence of drag queens and other visibly LGBTQ performers in a setting widely thought to have Christian connotations.
Death Threats and Homophobia
Unfortunately, the backlash against the performance appears to have extended beyond public statements and disappointed tweets. Barbara Butch has since claimed to have received a flood of homophobic vitriol, and even death threats, following the performance.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Krzysztof Winnik.
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