The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are a global spectacle and a celebration of human achievement and international camaraderie.

However, the grandeur of the event does not make it immune to controversy or error.

The latest Olympic opening ceremony was no exception, as it became the centre of heated backlash from spectators worldwide.

The ceremony, designed to dazzle and unite, sparked outrage among Christian and Catholic religious groups.

The bone of contention was a banquet scene that bore a resemblance to Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper.

The scene featured an actor portraying the Greek god Dionysus, surrounded by a table full of drag queens.

Religious groups condemned the act and called it 'a mockery of Christianity'.

The controversial depiction of The Last Supper earned the ire of religious groups. Image Credit: Getty Images

Theatre director Thomas Jolly, known for his avant-garde approach, choreographed the scene.

While the intention was to celebrate community spirit, the execution struck a chord with viewers who felt their religious beliefs were disrespected.

In response to the uproar, 2024 Olympics spokesperson Anne Descamps extended an olive branch.

'There was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. The opening ceremony tried to celebrate community tolerance. We believe we achieved this ambition,' Descamps shared.

'If people have taken any offence, we are really sorry.'

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) echoed this sentiment and supported Descamps's apology.

'In the daily press briefing, the organising committee said that there was never any intention to show disrespect towards any religious group or belief,' they reiterated.

'The organising committee also said that if anyone was offended by certain scenes, this was completely unintentional and they were sorry.'

Unfortunately, the banquet scene was not the only mishap that marred the ceremony.

The Olympic flag was hoisted upside down during the opening ceremony's final act, which became the subject of social media chatter.

On the other hand, South Korean athletes experienced an identity crisis after being introduced as the North Korean delegation.

As their boat sailed on the Seine, the announcer referred to them as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea—the official name for North Korea—in both French and English.

The organisers promptly apologised for the mistake.

IOC president Thomas Bach assured he would meet with South Korea's leader, Yoon Suk-Yeol, to address the incident.

These blunders serve as a reminder that even the most meticulously planned events can go awry.

These incidents also highlight the importance of cultural sensitivity and the need to anticipate how global audiences might perceive creative expression.

Key Takeaways

• The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony organisers issued an apology following backlash from religious groups over a scene resembling The Last Supper.
• Religious groups considered the inclusion of the Greek god Dionysus and drag queens as a mockery of Christianity.
• The 2024 Olympics spokesperson assured that there was no intention to disrespect any religious group, and the ceremony aimed to celebrate community spirit.
• Several other blunders occurred during the opening ceremony, including the Olympic flag being raised upside down and South Korean athletes being introduced as North Korean delegates.

How do you feel about the Olympic Games opening ceremony? We invite you to share your thoughts and insights in the comments section below.

Meanwhile, stay updated with the 2024 Olympic Games and see Australia's standings here.

 

[Mark@Home]

Insults come easily and cheaply from the armchairs of some.
Who are you calling a "religious nutter?"

Some of us have spiritual values, but we don't call the rest "atheistic nutters."
What you are proposing ("go boil your heads") could be construed as enticement to self harm.
If I were a woke marxist, I'd call it hate speech!

But what it is, is sheer ignorance of the true values of people with integrity, who wish to preserve the morality and decency that has made this country great, and is now being threatened by the push who have no idea of what they are even mocking.

If you don't like the opinions of others - simply move on.
No need to become insulting.

You lot started the name calling on the back of your gross misinterpretation of the Paris Olympic opening ceremony. You are as bad as the angry mob that descended on the Victorian town of Southport after three young girls were stabbed to death and many others injured. The mob ASSUMED the killer was an illegal immigrant and the matter escalated into mayhem on this peaceful town's streets. Your lot were wrong and made an international show of fake indignity.

Apologise.

 

[Knell]

You lot started the name calling on the back of your gross misinterpretation of the Paris Olympic opening ceremony. You are as bad as the angry mob that descended on the Victorian town of Southport after three young girls were stabbed to death and many others injured. The mob ASSUMED the killer was an illegal immigrant and the matter escalated into mayhem on this peaceful town's streets. Your lot were wrong and made an international show of fake indignity.

Apologise.

100%! These people carrying on do themselves, their country and religion in general a great disservice and should be ashamed of themselves.... 100 lashes! lol. This is about Athletes and the Olympic Games - not you or your crazy mixed up selves!

 

[Annna]

You lot started the name calling on the back of your gross misinterpretation of the Paris Olympic opening ceremony. You are as bad as the angry mob that descended on the Victorian town of Southport after three young girls were stabbed to death and many others injured. The mob ASSUMED the killer was an illegal immigrant and the matter escalated into mayhem on this peaceful town's streets. Your lot were wrong and made an international show of fake indignity.

Apologise.

In re to the Olympics matter, name those 'name callers' please.

 

[Knell]

In re to the Olympics matter, name those 'name callers' please.

I think the acidity of the many comments from those who found offence, and the ones who did not are clearly illiterate…? The mere contradictions in terms of christians coming out full of vitriol was overwhelmingly bigoted. How about y’all go sully your own nests and leave the Olympics alone.

 

[Mark@Home]

In re to the Olympics matter, name those 'name callers' please.

Brian, Stacey, Enid, Penelope, Eddie and Karens everywhere.

 

[Mark@Home]

In re to the Olympics matter, name those 'name callers' please.

You might pick up a book on English orthography while you're out shopping.

 

[Ingot]

As I have said if you insist on satanism no reasonable explanation will change your mind... It is Ok,. The explanation of the origiinal meaning is for people who misconstrued the meaning unintentionnally and thus realise that it actually looks a lot more like Dyonisus than Jesus for example. Apparently the Greeks got it, no surprise there

No one knows what Jesus looks/looked like.
That might surprise you,
You do not recogniose an aging fat man displying his phallus as wicked?
Your daughter might feel a little uncomfortable about that.
.
Not for me to judge the wickedness of others - I have enough of my own sins to account for.
But if you don't mind, I have decided the opening scenes for the Paris Games is a little too disgusting for myself and family.
Now we call it "inclusivity". God calls it something else, I believe.
.
All shown on public TV in family time.
Yes, you are blind to goodness and wholesome themes.
None of that in this display - more of a scene from an orgy.
I did read the explanation offered by Thomas Jolly (see link) and no, he was not struck by lightning.
.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-lying-just-hurts-credibility-internet-slams-viral-report-thomas-jolly-artist-behind-paris-olympics-struck-lightning

 

[Ingot]

You lot started the name calling on the back of your gross misinterpretation of the Paris Olympic opening ceremony. You are as bad as the angry mob that descended on the Victorian town of Southport after three young girls were stabbed to death and many others injured. The mob ASSUMED the killer was an illegal immigrant and the matter escalated into mayhem on this peaceful town's streets. Your lot were wrong and made an international show of fake indignity.

Apologise.

Oooh!
So defensive - bringing in red herrings as well.
Southport? Stabbings?
I do not recall mentioning that incident, so if you don't mind, when you are supposedly addressing something I said that hurt your sensitivities, please do not show dishonesty in bringing in stories that have nothing to do with this discusssion.
.
"You lot" ... meaning ...?
Look - if you don't like someone's comment, just close the door on your way to the lounge.
I'll comment as I see fit, thanks.
You are not my mother!
We know what we were looking at - and it was grossly disgusting.

 

[Ingot]

100%! These people carrying on do themselves, their country and religion in general a great disservice and should be ashamed of themselves.... 100 lashes! lol. This is about Athletes and the Olympic Games - not you or your crazy mixed up selves!

Not it's not. Where were the athletes in this satanic scene?
It's about gross indecency.
The fat lesbian who took the position of Jesus, was intentional.
The whole world recognised the scene as a rip off of Da Vinci's "The Last Supper."
That's what the noise is about.
.
What gives people the right to mock others, when they may well have no interest in spiritual virtues themselves.
I do not think that a godly, spiritually minded person anywhere would have been comfortable having their kids watch an aging fat person, displaying his phallus.
Please explain what a phallus has to do with the hard work Olympic athlests have put in to participate in the games.
.
One would have thought a sports theme would have been appropriate.
It was a cheap shot to go for woke themes, when it would have required a lot of creativity to follow a better theme.
Oh! No need to apologise.
Not interested.

 

[Knell]

Not it's not. Where were the athletes in this satanic scene?
It's about gross indecency.
The fat lesbian who took the position of Jesus, was intentional.
The whole world recognised the scene as a rip off of Da Vinci's "The Last Supper."
That's what the noise is about.
.
What gives people the right to mock others, when they may well have no interest in spiritual virtues themselves.
I do not think that a godly, spiritually minded person anywhere would have been comfortable having their kids watch an aging fat person, displaying his phallus.
Please explain what a phallus has to do with the hard work Olympic athlests have put in to participate in the games.
.
One would have thought a sports theme would have been appropriate.
It was a cheap shot to go for woke themes, when it would have required a lot of creativity to follow a better theme.
Oh! No need to apologise.
Not interested.

You do emulate the 'Pied Piper' well.

 

[Mark@Home]

Oooh!
So defensive - bringing in red herrings as well.
Southport? Stabbings?
I do not recall mentioning that incident, so if you don't mind, when you are supposedly addressing something I said that hurt your sensitivities, please do not show dishonesty in bringing in stories that have nothing to do with this discusssion.
.
"You lot" ... meaning ...?
Look - if you don't like someone's comment, just close the door on your way to the lounge.
I'll comment as I see fit, thanks.
You are not my mother!
We know what we were looking at - and it was grossly disgusting.

Oh the power of social muddier in the hands of those who think they thought they had an inkling that they thought they might have understood what was happening - and blasted the world with their phlegm.

Then it was proved they were wrong. What did they do? Apologise? Not a bit of it. They carried on the "good" fight regardless.

...which is exactly what happened in Southport.

 

[Mark@Home]

 

[Ingot]

You do emulate the 'Pied Piper' well.

Thank you, Robert Browning.

 

[Ingot]

Oh the power of social muddier in the hands of those who think they thought they had an inkling that they thought they might have understood what was happening - and blasted the world with their phlegm.

Then it was proved they were wrong. What did they do? Apologise? Not a bit of it. They carried on the "good" fight regardless.

...which is exactly what happened in Southport.

Thank you, O learned one.
You proved my point.

 

[Ingot]

Oh the power of social muddier in the hands of those who think they thought they had an inkling that they thought they might have understood what was happening - and blasted the world with their phlegm.

Then it was proved they were wrong. What did they do? Apologise? Not a bit of it. They carried on the "good" fight regardless.

...which is exactly what happened in Southport.

Some people have an illness that they are unaware of.

 

[Annna]

Brian, Stacey, Enid, Penelope, Eddie and Karens everywhere.

Karens?

That's name calling .

 

[Ingot]

Some people have an illness that they are unaware of.

This should settle the apologists for dirt.

 

[Annna]

You might pick up a book on English orthography while you're out shopping.

You stated

You might pick up a book on English orthography while you're out shopping.

The article was about the Olympic opening ceremony and the offense caused to Christians.

You alleged those offended were 'name callers'.

I asked you to name the 'name callers'.

Your above statement is off topic.

You are acting in a condescending manner. It is offensive. Please restrict discussions to the topic.

 

[Knell]

Oh the power of social muddier in the hands of those who think they thought they had an inkling that they thought they might have understood what was happening - and blasted the world with their phlegm.

Then it was proved they were wrong. What did they do? Apologise? Not a bit of it. They carried on the "good" fight regardless.

...which is exactly what happened in Southport.

Yes, exactly 100% correct! Epitome of Evil!

 

[Mark@Home]

Karens?

That's name calling .

Sorry Karen. I hardly noticed you there.