Paris Olympics organizers apologize for Last Supper display: ‘Never an intention to show disrespect’

Organizers of the Paris Olympics are apologizing after some viewers of the games’ opening ceremony were offended by a performance of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”

The French performance of da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch as well as drag artists and other dancers. Some religious officials were offended by the display, with the French Catholic Church’s conference of bishops saying the performance “mocked” Christianity.

Olympic organizers issued an apology on Sunday, with the opening ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, saying the performance was meant to pay tribute to French feasting and art and to celebrate diversity.

“My wish isn’t to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock,” Jolly told the Associated Press. “Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide.”

“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think (with) Thomas Jolly, we really did try to celebrate community tolerance,” Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps said in a news conference Sunday. “Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense we are, of course, really, really sorry.”

The French Catholic Church’s conference of bishops released a statement shortly after the performance expressing discomfort with the display.

“This ceremony unfortunately included scenes in which Christianity was mocked and ridiculed, which we deeply regret,” the religious organization said in a statement. “We thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity with us. This morning we think of all Christians on all continents who have been hurt by the exaggeration and provocation of some scenes.”

Some U.S. elected officials also expressed their distaste for the performance. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the performance was “shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world.” Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) called the performance “an intentional choice to mock Christianity and Christians.”