Olympics Organisation Apologises for ‘Last Supper’ Painting

This Sunday, the Paris Olympic Games organization apologized to everyone who was offended by a painting reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” during the opening ceremony.

Da Vinci’s painting depicts the moment when Jesus Christ declared that an apostle would betray him. Friday’s ceremony included LGBTQ+ icon DJ and producer Barbara Butch, surrounded by drag performers and dancers.

Religious conservatives around the world condemned the passage, and the French Catholic bishops’ conference deplored the “scenes of mockery” that they said mocked Christianity – a view shared by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

Egypt’s Anglican community expressed “deep regret”, saying the ceremony could lead to the International Olympic Committee “losing its distinctive sporting identity and humanitarian message”.

The ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, said the aim was to celebrate diversity and pay tribute to the festival and French cuisine.

Anne Descamps, spokeswoman for the Paris 2024 Games, was asked about the protests during an International Olympic Committee press conference.

“Obviously there was never any intention to be disrespectful to any religious group. On the contrary, I think (with) Thomas Jolly we were really trying to celebrate the tolerance of the community,” Descamps said. “Looking at the survey results we shared, we believe that that ambition was achieved. If people felt offended, we are of course very, very sorry.”

Jolly explained his intentions to the Associated Press after the ceremony:

“I don’t want to be subversive, I don’t want to be mocking, I don’t want to be shocking,” Jolly said. “Above all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion, not division.”