Paris Olympics organizers say sorry for offense, but insist opening ceremony did not depict "The Last Supper" (2024)

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Did the Olympic organizers apologize for last supper? ›

Organizers of the Paris Olympics have apologized for what some critics described as a parody of “The Last Supper” during the lavish opening ceremony on Friday. The scene featured drag artists and dancers and was widely criticized by the Catholic church and Christian groups.

French police investigating abuse targeting Olympic opening ceremony DJ over 'Last Supper' tableau. Paris Olympics organizers apologized to anyone who was offended by a tableau that evoked Leonardo da Vinci's “The Last Supper” during the glamorous opening ceremony, but defended the concept behind it Sunday.

"In a groundbreaking show of inclusivity, drag queens took centre stage at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, highlighting the vibrant and influential role of French LGBTQI communities in France and around the world." The organizers apologized Sunday, saying they meant no disrespect.

The opening ceremony's artistic director, Thomas Jolly, confirmed that Leonardo da Vinci's “The Last Supper” was not his inspiration for the performance. While the theatrical opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics brought memorable moments, one scene from the performance has prompted mixed reactions.

The Last Supper has been the target of much speculation by writers and historical revisionists alike, usually centered on purported hidden messages or hints found within the painting, especially since the publication of Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code (2003), in which one of the characters suggests that the person ...

Historicity. According to John P. Meier and E. P. Sanders, Jesus having a final meal with his disciples is almost beyond dispute among scholars, and belongs to the framework of the narrative of Jesus' life.

Franz was sorry for not learning his lesson but instead searching for bird eggs or going sliding on the Saar river.

The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games traditionally offers the host city the opportunity to celebrate sporting excellence and international unity while also presenting to the world a flattering portrait of its own nation, informed by its own culture.

Cambodia, Egypt and Lebanon did not compete in Melbourne due to a boycott regarding the Suez Crisis, whilst the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland all boycotted the Melbourne Olympics in protest at the Soviet invasion of Hungary. Nations that returned to the games in this edition included Afghanistan and Colombia.

In accordance with current Olympic protocol, the opening ceremony typically begins with the entrance of the host nation's head of state or other representative, and the president of the IOC followed by the raising of the host nation's flag and the performance of its national anthem.

Who was the blue guy at the Olympics? ›

The performance in question also included Philippe Katerine, a French entertainer who featured as the Greek god of wine Dionysus and quickly became known as the “semi-naked blue guy.” In the scene, Katerine sang a song while lying on a table, seemingly without clothes and covered head-to-toe in glittery blue paint.

Olympic organizers have since apologized for the scene after it was criticized by the Catholic church and Christian groups. The French Catholic Church said the festivities “included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity.”

The Last Supper is described in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Jesus and His disciples gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover. However, none of His disciples knew this meal was the last they'd share with their Lord.

The Last Supper of Leonardo da Vinci (Cenacolo Vinciano) is one of the most famous paintings in the world. This artwork was painted between 1494 and 1498 under the government of Ludovico il Moro and represents the last "dinner" between Jesus and his disciples.

Cheating, such as the use of performance enhancing drugs by athletes, has regularly affected the Olympic Games. Some countries have boycotted the Games on various occasions, either as a protest against the International Olympic Committee or the contemporary politics of other participants.

As Roman influence continued to grow with time, the Olympic Games were done away with. Emperor Theodosius I banned the games in 393 AD in order to promote Christianity. He deemed the games equivalent to paganism and had them done away with.

Peter is angry and John seems faint, but Judas has his face in the shadow. In the past Judas was painted separated from the group off to the side. Instead, Leonardo paints Judas among the group, but lost from Christ's light – literally – as he is covered by a shadow.