Olympic organizers apologize, but say 'Last Supper' drag tableau was a 'message of love'

Audiences were dazzled by a number of flashy moments at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday.

Like Céline Dion's triumphant return to the stage. Those fireworks in the French national colours exploding over Austerlitz Bridge. Lady Gaga.

And then there was what was meant to be a display of inclusivity as drag queens took centre stage, showcasing the vibrant and influential role of the French 2SLGBTQ+ community.

The tableau on the Debilly Bridge over the Seine was, according to opening ceremony artistic director Thomas Jolly, supposed to celebrate diversity and pay tribute to feasting and French gastronomy.

According to the official Olympics Games account on X, formerly Twitter, it was an "interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus." French actor and singer Phillippe Katerine, semi-naked and painted blue, portrayed Dionysus.  

But to many others, the scene seemed to evoke Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, featuring the drag queens and other performers in a configuration reminiscent of Jesus Christ and his apostles. 

The segment drew dismay from the Catholic Church, with the French Bishops' Conference saying in a statement on X that the ceremony "included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we deeply deplore."

It also ignited reaction from prominent personalities on social media, with Elon Musk, Piers Morgan and Donald Trump Jr. all calling it a mockery of Christianity.

Supporters of the tableau praised its message of inclusivity and tolerance, applauding what Jolly said was "a message of love" in an Olympic Games with a historic number of "out" gay, lesbian, bi, trans, queer and nonbinary athletes. 

According to the publication Outsports, there are 191 out athletes, the highest number of any Games, which Outsports says "reflects the increasing visibility and acceptance."

In a statement released Monday, advocacy group Egale Canada applauded Jolly and the Olympics opening ceremonies for including drag.

"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.

"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 Sunday.

"We believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are, of course, really, really sorry."

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) chimed in on Sunday, too, saying on X it "welcomes the clarification given by the Paris 2024 organizing committee regarding the opening ceremony."

WATCH | Drag queen calls out hypocrisy: 

Drag queen calls out hypocrisy of Olympics Last Supper backlash

4 months ago

Duration 0:56

Hugo Bardin, who performs as drag queen Paloma, says there’s a double standard over the controversy around the Olympic opening ceremony sketch resembling Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper. The tableau featured drag performers, drawing ire of some Christian groups.

'Queens everywhere!'

The opening ceremony came as drag in France has experienced a revival. It also marks a historic moment for diversity, as some LGBTQ publications pointed out, with stars like Nicky Doll of RuPaul's Drag Race and Drag Race France Season 3 winner Piche taking the stage to participate in a fashion runway segment.

"This is a huge moment for queer and drag representation at a global event like the Olympics, and also shows how French drag artists are becoming mainstream stars in the country," wrote Out magazine. "Queens everywhere!"

Doll, who also carried the Olympic torch, wrote on Instagram that it was an "absolute honour to perform in front of billions of people around the world, and celebrate our Olympians."

"And remember, to the ones that had their feathers ruffled seeing queerness on their screen: We ain't going nowhere." 

Hugo Bardin, whose drag queen character Paloma took part in the tableau, told Reuters they were disappointed Paris 2024 had felt compelled to apologize.

"An apology means recognizing a mistake, recognizing that you deliberately did something to harm, which was not the case," Bardin said.

"What bothers people isn't that we're reproducing this painting," Bardin said, "what bothers people is that queer people are reproducing it."

Jolly explained his intentions to The Associated Press after the ceremony.

"My wish isn't to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock," Jolly said. "Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide."

On Saturday, Jolly told reporters: "We wanted to talk about diversity. Diversity means being together. We wanted to include everyone, as simple as that." 

WATCH | Celine's triumphant return to the stage: 

Spectacle on the Seine: Relive breathtaking moments from Paris 2024 opening ceremony

5 months ago

Duration 0:33

From the powerful entrance of the Refugee Team to Celine Dion's return to the stage, let the Paris 2024 Olympics begin.