Former MLB All-Star Roy Oswalt criticized the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, calling it "insulting" and predicting low viewership. The ceremony featured a controversial parody of The Last Supper and other performances that drew criticism.
Former MLB All-Star Roy Oswalt has joined the chorus of critics decrying the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, which was held on Friday night. Oswalt, who played for the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies among other teams during his 13-year MLB career, took to social media to express his disgust at the ceremony, particularly a parody of The Last Supper.
"Going out on a limb here, but I'm guessing this will be the least watched Olympics in decades with that insulting opening!" Oswalt wrote on Twitter.
Roy Oswalt Slams Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony for Mocking Last Supper
The performance, which also included a young child, drew harsh criticism from many viewers. Former Houston Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Other acts during the opening ceremony also received mixed reviews from viewers on social media. In one scene, a woman and two men were seen embracing – seemingly suggesting a ménage à trois. A headless depiction of Marie Antoinette, the last queen prior to the French Revolution, also received criticism. The inclusion of drag queens in the torch relay route drew criticism from some viewers as well.
Roy Oswalt Slams Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony for Mocking Last Supper
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker called the ceremony "crazy" on his Instagram Stories and included a Bible quote, which read, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked."
Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening ceremony, said the inspiration behind all the performances was to reinterpret the way the world sees France.
Roy Oswalt Slams Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony for Mocking Last Supper
"The extraordinary thing is that everyone in France and the rest of the world has an idea of what France is all about. And I want to play with that, that's where I want to start from - breaking down clichés, because clichés come along other things," he said, according to the Olympics website.
The controversy over the opening ceremony overshadowed the start of the Games, which are set to run until August 12. The ceremony was watched by approximately 3.9 million viewers in France, according to the AFP news agency. The ceremony's director, Thomas Jolly, has defended his work, saying that he wanted to "break down clichés" about France and "question the established order."
However, the ceremony has been widely criticized by viewers and commentators alike, with many calling it "woke" and "disrespectful." Some have also accused the organizers of cultural appropriation and of mocking Christian beliefs.
The criticism has been so widespread that even French President Emmanuel Macron has been forced to respond. Macron said that he "understands" the controversy, but that he believes that the ceremony was "a success."
"I understand that some people may have been shocked by certain scenes, but I believe that the ceremony was ultimately a success," Macron said. "It was a celebration of French culture and diversity."
Despite the controversy, the Olympics are set to continue as planned. The first medals will be awarded on Saturday in judo, swimming, and cycling.
