The Fiasco of the French Olympics Ceremony
Repulsive, insulting, disgraceful, distasteful
I didn't intend to write something on the French opening ceremony for the 2024 Olympics, but I couldn’t sit there watching such a repulsive show, clearly made like this on purpose.
It doesn’t matter what religion you are or not; this ceremony was a disgrace for the human race.
Let’s travel back in time.
Athens 2004
Take a moment to remember the ceremony in Athens in 2004, a marvellous sight that gave you goosebumps and made you proud of being Greek. An event that combined elegance and sophistication, blending modernity with ancient history. It was a display, honouring the birthplace of the Olympics and its rich heritage. A tasteful ceremony, focusing on the profound cultural and historical significance of the Games, showcasing Greek culture's evolution and its undeniable impact on the world.
The ceremony was inspiring, stirring the soul and igniting pride and unity among viewers.
The athletes' parade, the lighting of the Olympic flame, and the musical performances were executed with precision and grace, proving the dedication and hard work behind the event. It was not just a ceremony; it was an unforgettable experience.
Beijing 2008
In 2008, we saw the opening ceremony in Beijing, a grand spectacle that captivated the world and was deemed by many as the 'greatest ever.' The ceremony was a stunning display of China's rich cultural heritage and technological prowess. With over 15,000 performers, it featured amazing choreography, awe-inspiring pyrotechnics, and state-of-the-art visual effects. The precision and scale of the performances, such as the synchronized drumming and the breathtaking aerial acrobatics, left audiences around the globe in sheer amazement.
It was a monumental achievement that showcased China's history, innovation, and artistic excellence, setting a new standard for Olympic ceremonies.
London 2012
Then, of course, in 2012, we had the opening ceremony in London, another remarkable event that presented Britain in the best way possible. Directed by the renowned filmmaker Danny Boyle, the ceremony was a vibrant and eclectic celebration of British culture, history, and achievements. It featured memorable moments such as the humorous entrance of Queen Elizabeth II alongside James Bond, the tribute to the National Health Service, and the spectacular cauldron lighting designed by Thomas Heatherwick.
The ceremony was a brilliant mix of tradition and modernity, highlighting Britain's contributions to the world in literature, music, technology, and more.
All these three ceremonies were masterclasses in how to use the Olympic stage to reflect national pride, cultural richness, and artistic ingenuity, setting the bar incredibly high for future hosts.
France 2024
Let’s fast forward to today and the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. You start watching and the only words that come to mind are: WTF...
You are immediately appalled by what you see—a stark and disappointing contrast to the grandeur of previous ceremonies. From a rating of 10, you plummet to -10. They recreated the biblical scene of the Last Supper, the last meal of Jesus before his crucifixion, one of the most important religious events in Christianity, and mocked it in the worst possible way, in a manner Christians would define as ‘satanic.’ They used the worst society has to offer today: obesity, degenerate behaviour, nudity, and all kinds of anti-Christian symbols.
The excuse? To show inclusivity. Really? So you decided to include in the ceremony all minorities and insult the majority - billions of Christians all over the globe and in your own country? Don’t you see that you have been exclusive and not inclusive?
What the ceremony achieved is massive disappointment for billions of people. Instead of uniting them, it divided them further, making them furious and angry, exacerbating the already extreme division in our Western society.
I really couldn’t watch it; it was just disgusting, insulting, blasphemous to Christians, an abomination showcasing the worst our civilization has to offer.
And the official responses? Naïve suggestions. Sorry, we didn’t have any intention to ridicule the Last Supper. How did you think about that? It was about Dionysus, the old Greek god famous for arranging orgies among other things. The word ‘orgy’ actually comes from the cult ceremonies of Dionysus. Which, of course, makes things worse, because it is clearly a depiction of the Last Supper as painted by Da Vinci, and now you tell us that it was actually an ‘orgy’ of the god Dionysus. So you took something holy for a vast majority of people and presented it in a paganistic way, through a ceremony defined as an ‘orgy.’
Then they tell us that it was inspired by the “Feast of the Gods” by Jan van Bijlert. Are you googling to find any painting that is similar, or did you plan your responses ahead of time? A cowardly response that you would expect from anyone involved in making this abomination.
Let’s make it clear, this didn’t make ‘everyone feel represented.’ It was exactly the opposite.
So, dear Olympic committee, when you say that you didn’t have any intention to show disrespect, then you either have to fire everyone because they are either stupid or naïve.
This was not art; this was a degenerate performance, made by mentally disturbed people, showcasing lust and the dissolution of morality and ethics.
I wouldn’t show this to any children. It was for adults only, to be exact, perverts only.
That’s not artistic freedom, France, and no, it is not ‘open-minded.’ This is an insult not only to Christians but to any decent human being, regardless of their religion. No wonder leaders and people of multiple different faiths have condemned this insulting ceremony, directed at the holy figures of Christianity.
Conclusion
The French Olympic opening ceremony was a fiasco of epic proportions, a disgrace that failed to honour the true spirit of the Olympic games, which is to unite and inspire humanity.
Rather than fostering a sense of global unity and shared celebration, the ceremony alienated and offended billions. It was a far cry from the uplifting spectacles that the world has come to expect from such an event.
The essence of the Olympics lies in bringing together people from diverse cultures and backgrounds to celebrate human achievement, athletic prowess, and the common values that bind us all.
Instead, the Paris ceremony chose to shock and provoke, using controversial and offensive imagery that mocked deeply held religious beliefs and showcased the worst aspects of modern society. The decision to depict the Last Supper in such a blasphemous manner was not just a misstep; it was a profound disrespect to billions of Christians worldwide.
By focusing on divisive themes and shock value, the organizers missed an opportunity to create a moment of unity and inspiration. Past ceremonies, like those in Athens, Beijing, and London, have set a high standard by celebrating national pride while respecting the diverse global audience. They managed to inspire and bring people together through powerful, positive messages and breathtaking performances. The Paris ceremony, however, seemed intent on controversy rather than cohesion.
This failure was not merely an artistic miscalculation; it was a moral and ethical lapse. It disregarded the core Olympic values of respect, excellence, and friendship, replacing them with a spectacle of degeneracy and disrespect.
The ceremony was more about making a provocative statement than about celebrating the athletes' hard work and dedication, the unity of nations, or the shared joy of the Games.
I hope that the backlash from leaders and people of multiple faiths around the world is going to be swift and it will be absolutely justified. This was not a display of artistic freedom or open-mindedness; it was a blatant insult to decency and a gross misrepresentation of what the Olympics stand for. The organizers failed to understand that the true power of the Olympics lies in its ability to inspire hope, pride, and a sense of global community. Instead, they delivered a performance that sowed division, anger, and disappointment. Shame on you.
Haven’t bothered to watch. And matching a girl against a male calling itself a woman violates any idea of sportsmanship
Agree with you completely. Athletes not celebrated, nor a host country's beauty, pride in citizenship, or achievements. It was a showcase of evil. Not watching the Olympics this year after looking forward to it again.