Paris organizers on Sunday defended the Olympic opening ceremony amid a backlash over an apparent mockery of “The Last Supper” during the performance.
The opening ceremony was condemned by U.S. leaders, world leaders, Christian groups and athletes for its depiction of one of Christianity’s most revered events.
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Drag queen Piche prepares to perform on the Debilly Bridge during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics on Friday, July 26, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Parts of the ceremony seemed similar to Leonardo da Vinci’s famous depiction of The Last Supper. The troupe includes drag queens, transgender models and a nude singer styled like the Greek god Dionysus.
Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps spoke about the matter on Sunday.
“Obviously, there was never any intention to show disrespect to any religious group. (The opening ceremony) was an attempt to celebrate tolerance in the community,” de Campos told reporters via Reuters.
“We believe this goal has been achieved. If anyone was offended, we are truly sorry.”
The Eiffel Tower lights up in the rain on Friday, July 26, 2024, during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris. (AP Photo/Natasha Pisarenko)
Real-time updates: The Paris Olympics are in full swing, and the “Last Supper” parody is under close scrutiny
Another French LGBT leader said the ceremony did not go far enough.
“We know that among the LGBTQ community in France we are still far from what the ceremony showed. Society still has a lot of progress to make when it comes to trans people. It is scary that in order to legally change their identity they are forced to accept trial,” said Trans LGBT President James Leperlier.
“If you watched the opening ceremony last night you would think that’s usually the case, but that’s not the case. France are trying to show what it should be, not what it is.”
During the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, the Trocadéro venue, with the Eiffel Tower looming in the background. (François-Xavier Marit/Pool, Reuters)
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Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and former MLB star Roy Oswalt have both spoken out against the imitation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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