In a recent turn of events, the organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympics have issued an apology to Catholics and Christian groups upset by a controversial segment in the opening ceremony. The piece, which featured a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous The Last Supper painting, drew criticism for its depiction of drag queens and a singer dressed as Dionysus, the Greek god of wine.
The artistic choice, meant to be a playful nod to a classic scene, didn’t sit well with the Catholic Church and some religious conservatives in the US. Creative director Thomas Jolly has since clarified his intentions, saying he never meant to offend. “I didn’t intend to be subversive or to mock or shock,” Jolly explained. “In France, we have the freedom to believe or not believe, and I aimed to reflect those values throughout the ceremony.”