History and culture collide in controversial Olympics opener

The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics sparked significant controversy primarily due to a performance representing the Last Supper, which depicts episodes in the life of Jesus. This scene, featuring colorfully dressed performers, was intended to represent Greek deities enjoying a party, not Jesus and his followers, according to the organizers.
However, religious groups across the Middle East, including Egypt’s Al-Azhar and the Coptic Orthodox Church, condemned the depictions as blasphemous and insulting to both Christianity and Islam. Egypt’s Al-Azhar, a leading Sunni Muslim authority, labeled the portrayal as “extremism and reckless barbarism,” criticizing the normalization of what they see as morally degrading behavior, including homosexuality and sexual transformation. The Coptic Pope Tawadros II also expressed outrage, calling for an apology from Olympic organizers.
The act featured drag queens, and was meant to symbolize inclusivity and diversity. However, several religious groups in Europe criticized it as disrespectful to their beliefs. The scene, intended as an artistic interpretation celebrating community tolerance and the absurdity of violence, was seen by some as a mockery of a sacred Christian moment, prompting apologies from the organizers. In Russia, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova labeled it a “mockery of a sacred story for Christians,” saying that “the Apostles were shown as transvestites.” She added that “evidently in Paris they decided that if the Olympic rings are multicolored, you can turn it all into one giant gay parade.” A spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church, Vakhtang Kipshidze, also condemned this section, writing on his personal Telegram channel that it was “cultural and historical suicide.”
In Turkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fueled the controversy by criticizing the ceremony’s alleged promotion of LGBTQI content, describing it as “immorality”. The Turkish leader said that he planned to contact Pope Francis to discuss what he sees as an attack on Christian values and human nature. Erdogan declined an invitation to the ceremony after his granddaughter warned him of the LGBTQI presence at the event. In China, the decision by Chinese state television to broadcast LGBTQI-related content during the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony also became a hot topic on social media. Indeed, the topic remains a taboo in Chinese mainstream media.
In response to the backlash, the Paris 2024 organizing committee insisted that the scene had no intention of disrespecting any religious groups, and that the performance was misunderstood. Despite these clarifications, the controversy continues to resonate strongly in the Middle East, with broadcasts of the ceremony being cut off or censored in several countries, including Algeria, Morocco, and Turkiye.

Religious groups across the Middle East, including Egypt’s Al-Azhar and the Coptic Orthodox Church, condemned the depictions as blasphemous and insulting to both Christianity and Islam.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Sulami

In addition to the Last Supper controversy, other issues have marred the games, such as the ban on hijab in alignment with France’s laws on secularism, which clashed with the International Olympic Committee’s policies. Indeed, French sprinter Sounkamba Sylla said she was barred from the Olympic opening ceremony due to her hijab. She said on her Instagram account: “You are selected for the Olympic Games, organized in your country, but you can’t take part in the opening ceremony because you wear a scarf on your head.” According to Amelie Oudea-Castera, minister for sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, “our citizens expect us to follow these principles of secularism, but we also need to be inventive about solutions to make everyone feel good.” She added that Sylla “understands our principles, our rules.” It is important to note that foreign athletes are not affected by the secularism rules.
There were also broader social and political controversies, including protests against Israel’s participation due to the conflict in Gaza, and criticisms over the environmental impact of the event on the Seine River. The ceremony was also a stage for presenting French culture and national identity to a global audience. In France, the political debate focuses on how to balance tradition with modernity and inclusivity. Some right-wing and far-right political groups argue for a more traditional representation of French culture, while others on the left advocate for a more diverse and contemporary portrayal that reflects France’s multicultural society.
Finally, the Algerian team commemorated the massacre of Algerian independence activists in Paris in 1961 by throwing flowers into the Seine. About 12,000 people were arrested during the 1961 protest and an estimated 120 people died, according to historians. Many of the bodies were never recovered, while others dragged from the water showed signs of harrowing violence. It came during the final year of Algeria’s war for its independence, which it eventually won in 1962.
The controversy highlights the complex interplay between cultural expressions, religious sensitivities, and political contexts, demonstrating how global events, such as the Olympics, can become flashpoints for broader social and political issues.

Dr. Mohammed Al-Sulami is the founder and president of the International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah). X: @mohalsulami