Olympic Games Paris 2024: Organisers apologise for 'Last Supper' opening ceremony scene
The scene, which featured drag artists and dancers was widely criticised by the Catholic church and Christian groups.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Anne Jea.
JOHANNESBURG - Organisers of the Paris Olympics have apologised for what some critics described as a parody of “The Last Supper” during the Games’ opening ceremony on Friday.
The scene, which featured drag artists and dancers was widely criticised by the Catholic church and Christian groups.
The Paris Olympics organising committee was forced to apologise after the performance caused outrage among Catholics, Christian groups and conservative politicians around the world.
The opening ceremony’s adaptation of the Last Super painting was meant to be a parody of the biblical scene and raise awareness of the absurdity of violence between human beings.
The scene also featured French actor Philippe Katerine, who appeared almost naked and painted blue as Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and pleasure.
Paris 2024 Olympic games spokesperson Anne Descamps added that there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group, as the aim of the opening ceremony was to celebrate community tolerance.
She added that a commissioned poll showed French people were overwhelmingly positive about the opening ceremony.