2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Sparks Controversy and Offends Christians
The 2024 Olympic Ceremony in Paris, France opened with a bang, but not without controversy. The spectacle featured global stars like Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, as well as a segment that drew mixed reactions from viewers around the world.
During the opening ceremony, drag queens and artists depicted a scene reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” featuring the drag queens and other performers in a configuration resembling Jesus Christ and his apostles. This portrayal sparked outrage among some viewers, including Mississippi-based telecommunications and technology company C Spire, which pulled all of its advertising from the Olympics in response to the mockery of the Last Supper.
Prominent far-right French politician Marion Maréchal denounced the performance on social media, stating that it was a left-wing minority ready for any provocation, not representative of France as a whole. However, the artistic director of the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly, claimed that the intention was inclusion and diversity, not subversion.
Despite the controversy, Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet defended the ceremony, stating that it was meant to trigger reflection and showcase French values and principles. The ceremony aimed to send a strong message while also respecting freedom of expression in France.
The opening ceremony may have sparked debate and criticism, but it certainly set the stage for an eventful and memorable 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.