The organizers of the Olympics have extended an apology following the Opening Ceremony, which offended several viewers, particularly a religious group.
The Paris 2024 Olympics kicked off with a grand event on Friday (July 26), which unintentionally upset sports enthusiasts worldwide.
One controversial element of the ceremony featured headless Queen Marie Antoinettes. She reigned over France from 1774 until 1793, when she was executed for high treason against the French Republic.
This portrayal ignited anger, with some online users labeling it as ‘satanic’.
One Twitter user expressed: “Dear Normies, You’re probably sat at home, watching the French Olympics thinking what the actual **** is this.”
“Well it’s just another a conspiracy playing out in front of your very eyes.”
They continued: “The one where we tell you – the World is run by satanic globalists who control everything. These people do very strange sick things & openly worship Satan or a brand of.”
“They love showing this fact off. Do you see it yet? They’re not even hiding it.”
However, it was the depiction on the Debilly Bridge over the River Seine that particularly upset some viewers.
An almost completely naked man, painted blue, was seen lying across a plate on a dinner table surrounded by fruit. This was meant to represent the Greek god Dionysus, but many perceived it as a mockery of ‘The Last Supper’, Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting depicting Jesus’ final meal with the Twelve Apostles.
The character then began to sing as dancers surrounded him.
Christians around the world took offence, with numerous French Bishops speaking out and online posts labeling the ceremony as an ‘attack on Christianity’ and ‘Christian values’.
In response, Anne Descamps, spokeswoman for the Paris 2024 Olympics, has issued an apology.
Speaking to reporters, she stated: “Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group.”
“If people have taken any offence, we are of course really, really sorry.”
The scene was choreographed by theatre director Thomas Jolly, who explained to BFM: “The idea was to do a big pagan party linked to the gods of Olympus.”
“You’ll never find in my work any desire to mock or denigrate anyone. I wanted a ceremony that brings people together, that reconciles, but also a ceremony that affirms our Republican values of liberty, equality and fraternity.”
Addressing the ‘satanic’ portrayal of the headless former Queen, he added: “Certainly we were not glorifying this instrument of death which is the guillotine.”