The 2024 Paris Olympics have kicked off with an opening ceremony that has sparked a heated debate on social media. While the French rail network’s ‘nerve centers’ were targeted by arson attacks before the ceremony, it is another aspect that has captured Twitter’s attention – the presence of drag performers.
The opening ceremony is often a point of contention, as people have differing opinions on how a host nation should present itself. In a unique departure from tradition, Paris chose to showcase its athletes and performers on barges parading down the Seine river instead of in a stadium. These performances are grand and vibrant, serving as a celebration of the world’s most talented athletes coming together in a moment of unity and peace.
As part of the opening ceremony, a group of 18 drag performers took the stage. Positioned behind a low table, one performer stood in the center wearing an elaborate headpiece or crown. According to the Olympics Twitter page, this segment was an “interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus” meant to highlight the absurdity of violence among human beings – a sentiment in line with the spirit of the Olympics.
However, this performance has faced backlash from some Twitter users. They accuse it of “mocking” the Last Supper and draw comparisons to Leonardo da Vinci’s famous fresco, The Last Supper. The arrangement of people standing on one side of a table seems to be the cause of controversy, as it deviates from the traditional depiction of the Last Supper. Traditional depictions feature Jesus and his twelve disciples, whereas this performance seems to include four additional individuals.
Prominent far-right French politician Marion Maréchal, a practicing Catholic, expressed her disapproval on Twitter, stating: “To all the Christians of the world who are watching the #Paris2024 ceremony and felt insulted by this drag queen parody of the Last Supper, know that it is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation.” This sentiment was echoed by US podcast host Clint Russell, who argued that the performance was disrespectful towards Christianity and the beliefs of the 2.4 billion Christians worldwide.
While this controversy has caused a stir, it should be noted that it does not reflect the entirety of the opening ceremony. The event featured other controversial moments as well, including a depiction of a ‘headless’ Marie Antoinette and a suggestive scene in France’s national library. These elements have contributed to the ongoing discussion surrounding the 2024 Paris Olympics.
