The 2024 Summer Olympics opened in Paris with great fanfare and high expectations.
Yet, viewers quickly took to social media to voice their discontent, dubbing it the “worst opening ceremony in history.”
Christianity and a mix of artistic choices lie behind the widespread criticism and controversy.
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The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, are currently ongoing in Paris, France. This global event, running from July 26 to August 11, marks the third time Paris hosts the Summer Olympics, with previous games held in 1900 and 1924.
The highly anticipated event opened up in Paris in spectacular style with thousands of athletes flocking to the opening ceremony. Despite the high expectations, the opening ceremony received widespread criticism from viewers and critics alike.
Lights illuminate the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
The president of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Tony Estanguet, spoke out before the event took place. Estanguet, a former Olympic canoeist said he was looking forward to linking sports, emotion, spectacle, water, and ecology as they hold a special meaning to him.
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Tony Estanguet attends the red carpet ahead of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
He was working with Thomas Jolly, who directed the program. Jolly was determined not to disturb the natural habitat of the Seine’s aquatic life. The Seine is Paris’s main water artery, which substituted the customary tracks present in previous Olympic Summer Games.
Thomas Jolly, poses sitting on a wall near the Seine River with the Eiffel tower in the background, in Paris, France, on July 2, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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Jolly’s plans and the gigantic project excited him but he admitted that he was worried about so many things. Nevertheless, he was determined to do things steadily and give a remarkable opening ceremony.
The Olympic flag is rasied at the Place du Trocadero in front of the Eiffel Tower during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the organizer’s best intentions and hard work, some people took to social media to express their disappointment and call the event the worst opening ceremony in history. This discontentment came even after the event was deemed to be historic.
Spectators look on along the River Seine prior to the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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This was the first time in the history of the Olympic Summer Games that the opening ceremony was not done inside a stadium. Unlike previous ones where athletes matched out along the athletics track, viewers and guests watched a colorful parade walk through the heart of the French capital.
Lebron James waves the American flag while cruising on the River Seine during the athletes’ parade during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
An estimated 100 boats were used to carry approximately 10,500 athletes along the Seine. This outdoor concept also made the 2024 opening ceremony the largest due to the high number of attendants and its geographical coverage.
A boats carries members of a delegation along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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In this new concept, each boat held delegations for each nation. The boats were equipped with cameras to ensure online viewers could see the athletes up close.
The athletes made their way from the east to the west of Seine, through the center of Paris. The parade concluded its 6-kilometer route in front of the Trocadéro, where the final elements of the Olympic protocol and concluding shows occurred.
Boats travel down the seine during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
As per the ceremony’s choreographer, Maud Le Pladec, every bridge on the parade route had dancers on it. She led the 400 dancers out of 3000 artists who took part in the opening ceremony and would also be present for the closing one.
The illuminated Eiffel Tower with the Olympic rings is reflected in a puddle at the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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Afterward, athletes, spectators, and TV viewers enjoyed a spectacular show, highlighted by performances from Lady Gaga, Aya Nakamura, and Céline Dion.
Dion’s first performance since her diagnosis with Stiff Person Syndrome captivated many. Her return to the stage was highly anticipated worldwide, and it did not disappoint.
Celine Dion sings at the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, on July 26 2024. | Source: Getty Images
When she appeared on the Eiffel Tower balcony to conclude the extraordinary evening, the crowds along the Seine and at the Trocadéro erupted in applause. The singer’s rendition of “L’Hymne à l’amour,” a tribute to Edith Piaf’s iconic song, captivated all of Paris.
Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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As the rain poured down, Celine Dion’s voice rose above the steady drumming of the raindrops. The downpour created a dramatic backdrop, adding an ethereal quality to her performance.
This powerful performance honored the timeless classic. It also celebrated the illustrious careers of two legendary singers and paid homage to Paris, and the beauty France represents.
Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
In this breathtaking, emotion-charged finale, Dion concluded the remarkable opening ceremony, creating a moment for the world to cherish. She sparked online talks with people commending her extraordinary vocals and how far she has come.
Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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Despite the wet conditions, other artists also sang with unwavering passion and emotion. They connected and engaged with the crowd, creating an electrifying atmosphere that transcended the rain.
Musicians from the French National Orchestra shelter from the rain during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Trocadero in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
The heavy rain might have required athletes to include rain ponchos and umbrellas in their outfits. However, it didn’t lessen the vibrant celebration of French history, art, and sport as they paraded on boats.
Peolpe sit on a tribune at Trocadero with heavy rain bevor the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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Numerous people showcased their resilience and enthusiasm, as they gathered to celebrate the start of the games despite the inclement weather. Dignitaries and delegates donned ponchos to shelter from the rain during the opening ceremony of the Paris Summer Olympics.
Prince Albert II of Monaco, Prince Jacques of Monaco, Princess Gabriela of Monaco, Princess Charlene of Monaco, and Sergei Bubka react during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, other attendees braced the cold, sitting on the tarmac roads with umbrellas, dressed warmly to combat the wet and chilly conditions.
Parisians and tourists watch the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on a quay of the Seine River in the rain in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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As much as the organizers of the event felt confident that the day would end well even with the rain, online users were not impressed by the opening ceremony.
“Honestly, this is the worst #OlympicGames #OpeningCeremony since I can remember. Seriously, what on Earth is this?! 😕,” a user lamented.
Boats carrying members of delegations sail along the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Another user criticized the organization, “This is quite possibly the worst #OpeningCeremony of modern times. Why are none of the cameras covered from the rain. If it isn’t blurry, the angles are terrible. Boring, cheap looking and disjointed.”
A user pointed out how the event had put France in shame. “I’m actually embarrassed on the behalf of France, this is going down as the worst opening ceremony in history,” wrote the user.
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Spectators wearing ponchos to shelter from the rain watch on during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
A user who didn’t find the event as historic as it was dubbed, noted, “No disrespect to the french but this is the worst opening ceremony I’ve seen so far at an Olympics.” Another online user agreed by simply writing, “The worst opening ceremony ever.”
Lady Gaga performs at the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics, in France, Paris, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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Other users also criticized the out-of-stadium concept, saying, “I’m sorry but this has to be the worst Olympic opening ceremony in memory. It’s an interesting idea bringing the athletes in on boats but it looks rubbish and misses the roar of the crowd. Sorry but not for me.”
Athletes from Turkiye delegation sail in a boat along the River Seine as rain starts at the start of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
A user commented that, due to the severe weather, significant portions of the Olympic Opening ceremony used rehearsal footage. Still, they questioned, “Why was the sound mixing so terrible? They could have tuned that perfectly for TV… it was old footage. But didn’t.”
Athletes from Refugee Olympic Team delegation sail in a boat along the river Seine as rain starts at the start of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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Another individual blamed the bad experience on sound, “Most boring #OpeningCeremony I’ve ever seen for any Olympic ceremony. The light show almost made up for it but the sound quality from @BBCOne was atrocious. I keep thinking ‘Get on with it!’”
Dancers performing French Cancan choreography are pictured from the boat of Brazil’s delegation sailing along the River Seine during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
A person concurred with this view, “The sound was atrocious as there was a relentless track of pelting rain throughout much of it & the best I can say about it was it was over ambitious.”
Aya Nakamura (C) and dancers perfom on the Pont des Arts footbridge during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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Christians also shared their views on the opening ceremony, pointing out that it mocked the Christian faith. The ceremony featured drag queens in a scene where a notably rotund woman with a halo crown posed at a table as if parodying the iconic image of the Last Supper.
The “Last Supper” scene at the Paris 2024 Historic Olympic Opening Ceremony, from a YouTube video dated, July 27, 2024. | Source: Youtube/@eurosport
Christians found this portrayal offensive, including Bishop Robert Barron, who shared his views in a video posted on X. He called out the “gross mockery of the Last Supper.”
“France felt evidently, as it’s trying to put its best cultural foot forward, that the right thing to do is to mock this very central moment in Christianity,” Barron said.
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The Catholic Church in France also commended the organizers of the Olympic Games for their display of beauty and joy but criticized their ridicule of Christianity.
They released a statement, which read, “This ceremony unfortunately included scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity, which we deeply regret. We would like the thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity with us.”
The “Last Supper” scene at the Paris 2024 Historic Olympic Opening Ceremony, from a YouTube video dated, July 27, 2024. | Source: Youtube/@eurosport
Speaker Mike Johnson, who shared similar views, wrote on X, “Last night’s mockery of the Last Supper was shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world who watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.”
The “Last Supper” scene at the Paris 2024 Historic Olympic Opening Ceremony, from a YouTube video dated, July 27, 2024. | Source: Youtube/@eurosport
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Kyle Becker commented that the event had adopted a controversial theme. He observed that “The opening ceremony was filled with transgend*r mockery of the Last Supper, the Golden Calf idol, and even the Pale Horse from the Book of Revelation.”
The independent journalist also noted that the Paris Olympics seemed to signal that Christian viewers were not welcome.
The “Last Supper” scene at the Paris 2024 Historic Olympic Opening Ceremony, from a YouTube video dated, July 27, 2024. | Source: Youtube/@eurosport
C Spire, a privately owned telecommunications company also weighed in on the discussion. They declared, “We were shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. C Spire will be pulling our advertising from the Olympics.”However, some online users had other views. One user shared that, “A Dutch art historian explains it’s not the last supper but a Dutch painting of the Olympic gods.”
He added that, if anything, one might argue that the depiction of Apollo as a plus-sized woman could be seen as an insult to pagan gods, given Apollo’s often somewhat feminine representation.
The “Last Supper” scene at the Paris 2024 Historic Olympic Opening Ceremony, from a YouTube video dated, July 27, 2024. | Source: Youtube/@eurosport
A person who agreed with this user explained that the organizers got their inspiration from the painting titled “The Feast of the Gods.”
It was created by Dutch artist Jan van Bijlert in the 17th century and housed in The Musée Magnin in Dijon, France. The user elaborated that Dionysus, depicted in the painting, is the father of Sequana, the goddess of the Seine.
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Another user also explained that the depiction of a Dutch painting showing the Olympic Gods at a feast was very fitting, as it related to the ancient origins of the Olympics.
“Very on theme if you ask me✨. Nothing Christian about it and certainly not a depiction of the last supper. Wouldn’t make any sense either way xx👀,” added the user.
Smoke resembling the flag of Team France is shown over Pont d’Austerlitz during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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The Olympic Games Official X page also posted, “The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings.”It was not the intention of the organizers to cause great division with the opening ceremony as Jolly stated before the Olympic Games that he intended to ensure everyone felt represented.
He believed that Paris offered room for everyone even if it was a bit chaotic. According to Jolly, the opening ceremony would be a success if it managed to make all people feel included.
Thomas Jolly poses in manufacturing workshops where the costumes for the athletes for the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are made in Saint-Denis, France, on June 20, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
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After the outrage from Christians, Jolly spoke out saying that his intention, when organizing the opening ceremony, was not to mock the Last Supper.
The artistic director noted that the scene depicted Dionysus, the god of wine and festivities, at a grand pagan festival associated with the gods of Olympus.Anne Descamps, a spokesperson for Paris 2024, also emphasized that there was never any intention to disrespect any religious group.
The goal of the opening ceremony was to celebrate community tolerance. “We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we are really sorry,” she apologized.
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A detailed view of the Paris 2024 Olympics logo on a podium during an Equestrian Eventing training session ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics Games in Paris, France, on July 24, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Therefore, despite the organizers’ efforts and hard work to create an inclusive and memorable opening ceremony, others criticized it as the worst opening ceremony ever.
The alleged portrayal of religious themes led to accusations of mockery, particularly from Christian viewers. Even so, others defended the artistic interpretation as a nod to classical mythology.
A general view shows the Eiffel Tower with illumated wings in the foreground during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
Ultimately, the ceremony’s aim to embrace diversity and representation faced challenges, leaving a polarized audience with varying opinions on its success.
