Friday’s ceremony featured a scene along the Seine with DJ and producer Barbara Butch flanked by drag artists and dancers.
The Associated Press reported the piece evoked Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper painting, which depicts the moment when Jesus Christ declared an apostle would betray him.
Religious conservatives from around the world criticized the segment, including three Utah leaders who shared their comments on X.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox commented, “I’m seeing video of a blatant mockery of a sacred event that my faith cherishes.”
It was a 4-hour long opening with lots of rain and apparently we missed a few things. I’m seeing video of a blatant mockery of a sacred event that my faith cherishes (the Last Supper of Christ). I can’t wait for the opening ceremonies in 2034 (like 2002) to showcase Utah values… https://t.co/fEw9DbB5Ak
— Spencer Cox (@SpencerJCox) July 27, 2024
He continued his post saying the opening ceremonies for 2034, which Utah was just awarded, will showcase Utah’s values and commitment to building family and community.
Utah State Sen. Stuart Adams also said, “the recent opening ceremony turned into a mockery of religious beliefs, fostering division when solidarity is most needed. The disrespect shown to the Last Supper is unacceptable and undermines the spirit of the Games, damaging the event’s integrity.”
The Olympics has long been a symbol of unity and the celebration of athletes. However, the recent opening ceremony turned into a mockery of religious beliefs, fostering division when solidarity is most needed. The disrespect shown to the Last Supper is unacceptable and undermines…
— President J. Stuart Adams (@JStuartAdams) July 27, 2024
A third state leader, House Representative Mike Shultz echoed Cox and Adams and said he looks forward to Utah’s opening ceremonies in 2034.
I couldn’t be more disappointed in the Paris opening ceremonies for obvious reasons. I’m grateful that Utah will determine what our ceremonies will look like. They will be a stark contrast from what we saw yesterday. For the 2034 Olympics, we look forward to our opening and…
— Mike Schultz (@mschultz_12) July 27, 2024
The Associated Press reported Sunday, July 28, Paris Olympics organizers apologized to anyone offended by the performance but defended the concept behind it.
The ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly had distanced his scene from any “Last Supper” parallels after the ceremony, saying it was meant to celebrate diversity and pay tribute to feasting and French gastronomy.
