Paris apologizes for religious imagery in Olympic opening show

The Paris 2024 Olympic opening ceremony, held on July 26, 2024, faced both controversy and mixed reviews. The ceremony featured a new format, replacing the traditional stadium-based parade with a waterborne procession along the Seine. This change aimed to be more visually engaging but resulted in a varied reception from both audiences and critics.

A significant controversy arose from a tableau in the ceremony that some perceived as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." The segment included drag queens, a transgender model, and a naked singer styled as the Greek god Dionysus, resembling the biblical scene of Jesus Christ and his apostles. This portrayal drew strong criticism from the Catholic Church and religious conservatives, who viewed it as mocking Christianity. Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps apologized, clarifying that the intention was not to disrespect any religion but to celebrate community tolerance. Artistic director Thomas Jolly defended the scene, stating it was inspired by a pagan feast rather than "The Last Supper," and aimed to promote diversity and inclusivity.

The ceremony's format, with its expansive waterborne procession, provided striking visuals and emotional moments, such as the speedboat carrying former champions up the Seine, the torch relay through the Louvre, and Celine Dion’s performance of “Hymne à l’Amour” on the Eiffel Tower. However, critics felt that the new format diminished the prominence of athletes, who appeared less central compared to past ceremonies. The athletes’ parade was often reduced to split-screen views, overshadowed by the entertainment segments along the river.

Overall, while the ceremony was visually impressive and included memorable moments, some commentators believed it transformed into an overblown TV spectacle, lacking the unique charm and coherence of traditional Olympic opening ceremonies. The grand scale and new format made the event feel more like a commercial production than a special Olympic tradition, emphasizing visual spectacle over the ceremonial aspects that have historically defined the Games.

[Information sourced from Reuters, The New York Times]