The Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony featured a headless Marie Antoinette, the last queen prior to the French Revolution, as well as a performance depicting a ménage à trois, drawing mixed reactions from viewers.
The Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony, held on July 26, showcased a blend of French history and culture, including a controversial performance featuring a headless Marie Antoinette.
As the ceremony unfolded, performers depicted the queen, married to King Louis XVI, in her final moments before her execution by guillotine in 1793. The performance elicited a strong reaction on social media, with some viewers finding it offensive and disrespectful.
Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Debuts Headless Marie Antoinette, Ménage à Trois Performances
"Up until then, I thought it wasn't bad, but the guillotined Marie-Antoinette at the window singing It'll be OK, with the blood fireworks at the end, it's [atrocious]..." one user wrote in French.
"Red card to the morbid representation of Marie-Antoinette guillotined in a window of the Palais de Justice in Paris. We have abolished the death penalty and... we celebrate it in front of the whole world..." another user commented.
Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Debuts Headless Marie Antoinette, Ménage à Trois Performances
However, the ceremony also included lighter moments, such as a performance by the French rock band Gojira and a depiction of a ménage à trois, which sparked a mix of amusement and criticism.
Despite the mixed reactions, the ceremony continued with other performances representing French culture, including a celebration of the nation's gastronomy.
Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Debuts Headless Marie Antoinette, Ménage à Trois Performances
The Opening Ceremony served as a prelude to the first gold medal events, scheduled for Saturday. The United States women's soccer team kicked off the competition with a victory over Zambia on Wednesday.
In addition to the traditional sports events, the Paris Olympics will also feature new disciplines such as breaking, sport climbing, and skateboarding. The Games are expected to attract a global audience and showcase the unique spirit of Paris.
Despite the controversy surrounding the Marie Antoinette performance, the Opening Ceremony ultimately highlighted the diversity and creativity of French culture.
