We are very, very sorry if someone took offense, says a spokesperson for Paris 2024 about the opening ceremony scene that has been interpreted as mocking by some Christians around the world.
During the Olympic Games opening ceremony, viewers could see a segment that resembles Leonardo da Vinci's classic work "The Last Supper", which depicts Jesus' last meal – but now with an LGBTQ+ icon as DJ, a naked, but body-painted Dionysus and drag artists as disciples.
Several Christian communities and right-wing conservatives around the world have accused the segment of being mocking and blasphemous. The artistic director of the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly, claims that the segment was meant as a tribute to diversity and French gastronomy.
My intention was not to be subversive or to shock and mock, but to send a message of love, he has said.
At a press conference on Sunday, Anne Descamps, spokesperson for Paris 2024, received several questions about the segment.
The intention was clearly not to be disrespectful towards any religious group. On the contrary, I believe that Thomas Jolly wanted to celebrate tolerance in society. We believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken offense, we are naturally very, very sorry, says Anne Descamps.
