Olympics opening ceremony sparks outrage online as 'Last Supper recreation' labelled 'extremely disrespectful'
It featured a number of drag entertainers and was reminiscent of the the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece
Organisers of the Olympics opening ceremony have been accused of mocking Christianity with a performance that appeared to recreate Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper'.
It featured a number of drag entertainers and was reminiscent of the the Vinci masterpiece showing Jesus and his disciples sharing their last Passover meal before his betrayal, trial and crucifixion.
The scene was quickly slammed by a number of Christians, including X owner Elon Musk, who tweeted: "This was extremely disrespectful to Christians."
READ MORE:BBC's Ireland comment during Olympics opening ceremony has viewers pointing out same thing
Boxer Ryan Garcia posted on Instagram: "The Olympics needs to be boycotted now. You can’t disrespect religion in front of millions. This ain’t right no one watch."
American podcaster Clint Russell wrote: “This is crazy. Opening your event by replacing Jesus and the disciples at the The Last Supper with men in drag. There are 2.4 billion Christians on earth and apparently the Olympics wanted to declare loudly to all of them, right out of the gate: NOT WELCOME.”
NFL star Harrison Butker commented: “This is crazy.”
Shane Pruitt, a Texas pastor and author, added: "Drag queens mock Christianity during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics in Paris as they attempt to recreate da Vinci’s painting of Jesus’ Last Supper. Not only are Christians the only people that it is socially acceptable to mock … it’s actually celebrated and put front and center."
Paris welcomed the 33rd Olympic Games with an opening ceremony like no other but Friday night’s flotilla down the River Seine was almost washed away by relentless rain.
Zinedine Zidane, Lady Gaga, and Celine Dion were among those to lend the event star power, but a ceremony designed to be staged on the water was largely in it as athletes and performers alike were left drenched by the time the Olympic flame rose above the city on a balloon.
A total of 85 boats carried the team delegations on a six-kilometre journey through the centre of Paris, with more than 300,000 spectators lining the banks of the river.
But as the night went on rain grew steadily heavier, leaving hundreds of dancers out in the damp as they delivered a series of performances that sought to convey the story of Paris and of France.
Lady Gaga was the first to steal the show, bursting forth from behind a pair of out-sized pink pom-poms to deliver a burlesque take on the French classic ‘Mon truc en plume’.
The performances came in all shapes and sizes, with Gojira adding a dramatic twist of heavy metal, while Celine Dion sang at the end of the ceremony, with a number of legendary sportspeople, including Zinedine Zidane and Rafael Nadal, involved in carrying the Olympic Torch.
Shane Lowry and Sarah Lavin were Ireland's flagbearers for the event and both told of their pride at carrying the tricolour.
Lowry said: “It’s a huge honour for me and my family.
“Anybody who knows me knows how patriotic I am, how much I love Ireland, and how much I love playing for my country.
“I always wear the Irish flag with pride and to get to do something like this is something I’ll remember forever.”
Lavin, like Lowry, is also set to become a two-time Olympian having competed in the 100m hurdles at Tokyo three years ago.
“It’s surreal to be honest,” said the 30-year-old. “The greatest honour I’ve ever been given. To carry the country’s flag, it’s just something you can’t prepare for.
“I’m so grateful for those who’ve trusted me and put me in this position. It’s emotional as well.
“There’s no point lying about that because, you know, there’s a lot of people you’re representing and be on the biggest sporting stage.
“It’s a testament, I guess, to all the hard work and how much you’ve dug deep, not just in the last 12 months but the entire Olympic cycle and in your entire career.
“I’m deeply touched and just so excited to get out there.”
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