Paris Olympics opening ceremony sparks controversy, calls for boycott

The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics ignited significant controversy and sparked calls for a boycott. The response follows what critics have interpreted as a controversial reimagining of Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting, “The Last Supper.”

The ceremony featured a fashion show with a performance that included drag performers seated around a table, with a woman positioned at the center — a spot traditionally associated with Jesus Christ in the famous painting. Additionally, a French actor dressed as Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and ecstasy, was seated atop the table.

Critics, including Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, have condemned the performance as an affront to Christian sensibilities.

In posts on X, Johnson labeled the performance as “shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world” and Salvini criticized it as a poor start for the Olympic Games.

American fitness coach Jillian Michaels also expressed disapproval, arguing that the performance undermines calls for mutual respect and tolerance.

In response to the backlash, some companies have opted to withdraw their advertisements from the Paris Games. Social media platforms are also seeing a surge in calls for a boycott of the Olympics.

On the other hand, Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening ceremony, has defended the performance.

Jolly clarified that the segment was intended as a depiction of Dionysus and a celebration of pagan festivities, not a reinterpretation of “The Last Supper.” He emphasized that the goal of the performance was to promote a message of love and inclusion. The official Olympics account on X echoed this sentiment, stating that the portrayal of Dionysus aimed to highlight the absurdity of violence among people.

Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for the Paris Olympics, later addressed the criticism, asserting that there was no intention to offend any religious group. The spokesperson reiterated that the opening ceremony was meant to celebrate community and tolerance, and expressed regret for any offense taken.

Despite the controversy, the opening ceremony attracted a high viewership, with nearly 29 million people tuning in. That surpassed the 17 million who watched the Tokyo 2021 Olympics opening ceremony.

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