Paris Olympics organizers issued an apology on Sunday to anyone offended by a tableau resembling Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” during the opening ceremony.
Da Vinci’s painting shows Jesus Christ announcing that one of his apostles would betray him. The Friday ceremony featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch, an LGBTQ+ icon, alongside drag artists and dancers, which sparked controversy.
Religious conservatives worldwide criticized the segment, with the French Catholic Church’s conference of bishops condemning the “scenes of derision” they felt mocked Christianity. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova and the Anglican Communion in Egypt also expressed their disapproval. The latter warned that such acts could damage the International Olympic Committee’s sporting identity and humanitarian message.
Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s artistic director, stated that the tableau was intended to celebrate diversity and honor French gastronomy. Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps addressed the backlash at an International Olympic Committee news conference on Sunday, emphasizing that there was no intention to disrespect any religious group. Instead, the aim was to celebrate community tolerance.
“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think (with) Thomas Jolly, we really did try to celebrate community tolerance,” Descamps said. “Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense we are, of course, really, really sorry.”
Jolly further explained to The Associated Press that his intention was not to be subversive, mocking, or shocking. “My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock,” Jolly said. “Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide.”