Paris organizers regret backlash over performance that featured drag queens, transgender model, but maintain goal of promoting tolerance.
Paris organizers have defended the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, despite backlash over a performance that appeared to mock The Last Supper, a revered event in Christianity.
The ceremony, which took place on Friday, July 26, 2024, drew condemnation from American leaders, world leaders, Christian groups, and athletes alike. The segment in question resembled a depiction of The Last Supper, famously painted by Leonardo da Vinci, but featured drag queens, a transgender model, and a naked singer who was styled to resemble the Greek god Dionysus.
Paris Defends Controversial Olympics Opening Ceremony Depiction of The Last Supper
Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps addressed the controversy on Sunday, stating that there was "never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group." She explained that the opening ceremony aimed to "celebrate community tolerance" and expressed regret if anyone was offended.
"We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we are really sorry," Descamps said via Reuters.
Paris Defends Controversial Olympics Opening Ceremony Depiction of The Last Supper
However, some critics argue that the ceremony did not go far enough in promoting tolerance. James Leperlier, president of Inter-LGBT, a French LGBT organization, said that the LGBTQ community in France faces significant challenges and that the ceremony did not accurately reflect the reality of their experiences.
"We know in the LGBTQ community in France we are far from what the ceremony showed. There's much progress to do in society regarding transgender people. It's terrible that to legally change their identity they are forced to be on trial," Leperlier said.
Paris Defends Controversial Olympics Opening Ceremony Depiction of The Last Supper
The controversy has drawn comments from prominent figures such as Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and former MLB star Roy Oswalt, who both spoke out against the parody.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
