Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
18 April, 2026, 8:51 pm
Central - 23°C Rain
IN DEPTH
18 April, 2026, 8:51 pm Central - 23°C Rain

Olympic chiefs 'sorry' opening ceremony caused offence

Olympic chiefs 'sorry' opening ceremony caused offence

By Alipate Narawa
29/07/2024
A banquet sequence during the Paris 2024 opening ceremony, which included a depiction of Greek god Dionysus, has been criticised

Olympic Games organisers have said they are "sorry" that scenes in Friday's opening ceremony caused offence.

A banquet sequence featuring drag artists in particular came in for criticism from Christian groups, who felt it parodied Leonardo da Vinci's painting 'The Last Supper'.

That famous 15th Century work depicts a key biblical scene.

The Catholic Church in France was among critics, saying the ceremony featured "scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity".

A US telecommunications company, C Spire, said it would be pulling its advertising around the Olympic Games after being "shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies".

The ceremony's artistic director, Thomas Jolly, said there was no intention to "mock or denigrate anyone" and explained the scene in question was designed to reference pagan gods.

Paris 2024 spokeswoman Anne Descamps told reporters on Sunday that clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group.

She says if people have taken any offence, they, of course are really sorry.

Jolly told French media that the idea was to do a big pagan party linked to the gods of Olympus.

Source: BBC

Click here more Paris Olympic Stories and Updates here

FEATURE NEWS
Vakarisi dead, 3 released and evidence of unauthorized weapons outside RFMF's inventory - Commander
Druglord, Jone Vakarisi has died in military custody, 3 other associates have been released after questioning, 1 Republic of Fiji Military Forces pers...
7 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Hong Kong 7s: Fijiana to play Australia at 11.42 tonight in Cup quarterfinal
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side will take on Australia at 11.42 tonight in the last Cup quarterfinal at the Hong Kong 7s.In other quarterfinals, ...
1 hour ago

Hong Kong 7s: Fiji will meet Argentina in last quarterfinal at 12.28am tomorrow
The Fiji Airways Men's National 7s side will meet Argentina in the last Cup quarterfinal at 12.28am tomorrow.In other quarterfinals, France plays New ...
2 hours ago

Motorcyclists raise safety concerns after taxi tailgating video on social media
Concerns have been raised over biker safety after a video showed a taxi driver tailgating a motorcyclist and nearly causing an accident. Executive ...
3 hours ago

Hong Kong 7s: Fijiana get thumped 38-0 by New Zealand
The Fiji Airways Fijiana 7s side were outclassed 38-0 by New Zealand in their final pool game this afternoon at the Hong Kong 7s.The Black Ferns ...
3 hours ago

Fiji records 300 stroke cases annually as rehabilitation demand rises
Minister for Health Dr Atonio Lalabalavu has revealed that Fiji continues to face a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Ratu Epeli Nailatikau's State Funeral
Ratu Epeli was a highly respected Fijian chief and a people’s President as many would remember him on many occasions walking on the streets of Suva ...
2 days ago

TC Vaianu Coverage
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is urging the public to remain alert, prepared, and watch out for one another as Tropical Cyclone ...
9 days ago

Citizens to oppose proposed TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda
Serious concerns are being raised regarding a proposed Australian company's TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, and a group of concerned ...
9 days ago

TOP