The opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris, praised by first lady Jill Biden as "spectacular," faced significant backlash for including a drag show parody of the Last Supper, which many viewed as mocking of Christianity.

Amid the controversy and despite Mrs. Biden's glowing review, numerous individuals and organizations expressed outrage over the spectacle, leading the event organizers to issue an apology, as the Daily Wire reports.

Jill Biden led the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris, which took place on Friday.

During a brunch event celebrating the upcoming 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Mrs. Biden described the ceremony as "spectacular" and expressed her admiration for the cultural event. She compared Paris' Eiffel Tower to Los Angeles' Hollywood, highlighting the latter's cultural influence.

Opening Ceremony Stirs Controversy

However, the ceremony attracted significant controversy due to a drag show parody of the Last Supper, which many considered offensive.

This performance featured characters representing Jesus Christ, his apostles, and the Greek god Dionysus.

Criticism From Public Figures

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) criticized the performance, calling it "shocking and insulting" to Christians worldwide.

The criticism did not end there, as C-Spire, a tech company from Mississippi, announced the withdrawal of its advertisements from the Olympics in response.

NFL kicker Harrison Butker, alongside other religious leaders, expressed their disapproval of the ceremony.

The backlash from these community figures underscored the widespread anger and disappointment that the performance had elicited.

Organizers Issue an Apology

In reaction to the growing discontent, the organizers of the Summer Olympics issued an apology to Catholics and other Christian groups who felt offended. Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps emphasized that there was no intent to disrespect any religious group, stating that the aim was to celebrate community tolerance.

Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s artistic director, defended the inclusion of the controversial drag show. He explained that the intention was to highlight the theme of diversity and celebrate the idea of inclusivity. "We wanted to talk about diversity. Diversity means being together. We wanted to include everyone, as simple as that," Jolly stated.

Jill Biden's Praise Amid Backlash

Despite the controversy, Jill Biden maintained her praise for the event. "It was spectacular. The rain did not dampen our spirits. Every step of the way, I was thinking to myself, ‘Oh my god, oh my god. How are we going to top this?'" Biden said.

During her remarks, Jill Biden also highlighted Los Angeles as a city where dreams come true, likening its influence to that of Hollywood. "The magic of Hollywood that makes all dreams come true. It’s a city where new generations of dreamers shape our culture," she noted.

Apology and Explanation

Paris 2024 representative Anne Descamps reiterated that the goal was never to offend but to foster a sense of community and tolerance. "Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance." She added, “We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we are really sorry.”

C-Spire, voicing its shock at the portrayal of the Last Supper, declared its decision to pull all advertising from the Olympics. "We were shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. C-Spire will be pulling our advertising from the Olympics," the company stated.

Conclusion

In summary, the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Paris, deemed "spectacular" by first lady Jill Biden, has sparked considerable backlash over a drag performance many saw as mocking Christianity.

Figures such as House Speaker Mike Johnson and various religious leaders have expressed their outrage, leading to an apology from the event organizers. Despite the controversy, Biden praised the ceremony and highlighted the cultural impact of Los Angeles.

Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps and artistic director Thomas Jolly emphasized that the intent was to celebrate diversity and inclusion, though the performance clearly struck a nerve with many observers.