Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony faces backlash over Last Supper reenactment

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games has sparked widespread controversy for featuring a reenactment of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” performed by drag queens.

The Bishops’ Conference of France expressed deep regret over the scenes, stating that Christianity was mocked and ridiculed. They thanked other religious denominations for their solidarity and expressed concern for Christians worldwide who were hurt by the performance.

“This ceremony unfortunately included scenes in which Christianity was mocked and ridiculed, which we deeply regret,” the Bishops’ Conference stated. Despite their criticism, the Bishops’ Conference acknowledged that the ceremony also provided moments of beauty, joy, and emotion.

The parody ignited a firestorm on social media, with many labeling it as provocative, anti-Christian, disrespectful, and blasphemous. Elon Musk criticized the reenactment as an “extremely disrespectful” act to Christians.

This was extremely disrespectful to Christians

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 26, 2024

Other prominent figures, including Piers Morgan, questioned whether such a performance would have targeted symbols from other religions, calling the decision “appalling.”

Conversely, some social media users defended the performance, arguing that “The Last Supper” is an artistic and cultural symbol rather than an exclusively religious one. They suggested that the backlash was primarily due to the use of drag artists, indicating a bias against a community.

President Emmanuel Macron praised the opening ceremony, calling it a bold showpiece that made France extremely proud. He highlighted the eclectic mix of elements and commended the artists and athletes for providing a “great spectacle” that celebrated the Olympic spirit.