Organisers of Paris 2024 offered an apology on Sunday to the Catholic community and other Christian factions who were upset by a exaggerated portrayal during the Olympic Games inaugural celebration, which spoofed Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ artwork. The part, echoing Christ’s last meal with his disciples before crucifixion, featuring drag artists, a transgender model, and a bare musician made up as Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, led to discontent from both the US religious right and the Catholic Church.
“There was absolutely no motive to display any form of disrespect towards any religious faction. [The inaugural event] was intended to applaud society’s acceptance,” Anne Descamps, a representative for Paris 2024, stated at a media briefing. “We believe we’ve achieved this objective. If anybody felt insulted, we sincerely apologise.”
France, although lauding its vast Catholic roots, also maintains a steady tradition of anticlericalism and secularism. Blasphemy, not only lawful, is deemed by several to be a crucial tenet of freedom of speech.
Whilst some commended the tableau’s message of acceptance and tolerance, the Catholic Church in the country condemned the fitness event that included scenes that seemingly ridiculed Christianity.
Bishop Emanuel Gobilliard, who is the delegate of French bishops for the Games, stated that some French athletes are having sleepless nights due to the backlash following this controversy.
Charles Scicluna, Malta’s highest ranking Catholic emissary and an officer for the Vatican’s influential doctrinal office, reportedly complained to France’s ambassador to Malta about the “unnecessary affront.”
In a note to the Ambassador which he shared on X, he penned, “I need to voice my discontent and immense disappointment about this insult towards us Christians at the inaugural event when a troupe of drag performers spoofed Jesus’ Last Supper.”
Certain observers pointed out that the dispute was a further manifestation of culture clashes of the 21st century, amplified by non-stop news coverage and online platforms.
Thomas Jolly, the creative head and mastermind behind the vivid inaugural event, stated that he never intended to challenge religious beliefs. In speaking with journalists on Saturday, he explained that his aim was to discuss inclusivity – the idea of standing together as one and ensuring everyone’s involvement, as clear-cut as that. (Report submitted by Karolos Grohmann and Julien Pretot; With additional reports from Thomas Escritt based in Berlin, and Elizabeth Pineau and Michel Rose from Paris; Article written by Richard Lough; Edited by Ken Ferris and Pritha Sarkar).