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The organizing committee of Paris 2024 has apologized to Catholics and other Christian groups offended by a scene in the opening ceremony that mimicked Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper with drag queens, a transgender model, and a singer dressed as the Greek god of wine.
The parody, set against the backdrop of the River Seine, was meant to interpret Dionysus and highlight “the absurdity of violence between human beings,” the organizers explained on X.
The committee issued the apology after the performance sparked outrage among Catholics, Christian groups, and conservative politicians globally.
Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps told a press conference the following: “Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance. We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are really sorry.”
JUST IN: Paris Olympics organizers issue apology after they mocked Christianity during their opening ceremony.
Organizers say they are “really sorry” if they offended anyone, saying there was “never an intention” of offending Christians.
“Clearly there was never an intention to… pic.twitter.com/PFsO1QtM8l
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) July 28, 2024
