The organizers of the 2024 Paris Olympics are facing fierce backlash from Christians and various groups worldwide following the opening ceremony. A skit performed during the ceremony, which to mock Jesus’ Last Supper, has ignited widespread controversy and criticism.
During a discussion, panelists expressed their dismay, arguing that the segment was deliberately offensive to Christians. It was the intentional nature of the skit.
The ceremony was criticized for detracting from the Olympics’ core purpose of promoting unity and showcasing athletic excellence. There are all of these wonderful athletes from all around the world. It’s the whole purpose of the Olympics to display unity and these people just want to show their behinds. It’s ridiculous, and then it’s also really offensive to Christians.
The controversial segment included performers such as drag queens and a woman wearing a halo crown, parodying Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting “The Last Supper.” The skit provoked outrage among Christians and conservatives online. Catholic Bishop Robert Barron expressed his disappointment that a nation with a rich Catholic heritage would mock such a significant Gospel event.
Organizers defended the skit, claiming it was meant to honor the Greek god of wine, Dionysus, rather than mock Christianity. However, co-host Kayleigh McEnany insisted that Christians had every right to be offended. “This was the most appalling thing without a doubt, and Christians should be deeply offended,” she said, also criticizing the inclusion of sexualized images, which she deemed inappropriate for an event meant to symbolize unity.
Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for Paris 2024, addressed the backlash, stating, “Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance.” She added that the aim was to highlight the absurdity of violence among humans. “The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings,” the official Olympics X account tweeted. Yet, this did little to quell the outrage.
Despite these explanations, many remain unconvinced.
Co-host Harris Faulkner voiced her disappointment, arguing that the opening ceremony overshadowed the athletes. “This really robs every athlete from the spotlight,” she said. “They took a punch at us, and it’s fair game for everybody… I will never watch another opening. They won’t miss my viewership. I didn’t watch the whole thing anyway. I was so offended I turned it off, but I am tuning in for those young men and women who have given their lives as young people, teenage years to do everything they can to compete and represent their countries.”
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact the overall perception of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The opening ceremony, intended to celebrate community and unity, has instead sparked a significant debate about respect for religious beliefs and the true purpose of the Olympic Games.
