Organizers of the Paris 2024 Olympics have issued a formal apology following criticism over the Opening Ceremony, which upset some viewers and a particular religious group.
The Olympics kicked off on Friday, July 26, with an Opening Ceremony that inadvertently disturbed sports enthusiasts globally.
One of the controversial elements was the depiction of headless figures resembling Queen Marie Antoinette, who ruled France from 1774 to 1793 before her execution. This portrayal led to accusations of a ‘satanic’ theme from some online observers.
A Twitter user commented: “Dear Normies, you might be watching the French Olympics and wondering what’s going on. This is just another conspiracy playing out before your eyes. It’s about showing how a group with sinister motives controls everything and openly displays their allegiance to dark forces.”
The main controversy arose from a segment on the Debilly Bridge over the River Seine, where a nearly naked man painted blue, meant to represent the Greek god Dionysus, was shown lying on a table with fruit around him. Many viewers perceived this as a mockery of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper,’ a depiction of Jesus’ final meal with his disciples.
The portrayal led to widespread criticism from Christians, with some French Bishops denouncing the event and others on social media calling it an ‘attack on Christianity.’
Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for the Paris 2024 Olympics, responded to the backlash, saying: “There was absolutely no intention to offend any religious group. We sincerely apologize if anyone felt disrespected.”
The ceremony, directed by Thomas Jolly, was intended as a grand celebration linked to the gods of Olympus. Jolly emphasized, “My goal was to create a ceremony that unites people and reinforces our values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. There was never any intent to mock or belittle anyone.”
Regarding the depiction of the headless queen, Jolly clarified: “Our aim was not to glorify the guillotine or the death associated with it.”
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