Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony: A Historic and Controversial Start to the Games, Controversy over Last Supper Performance
July 30, 2024
The Paris 2024 Olympics kicked off with a historic and innovative opening ceremony along the Seine river, despite rainy weather. The event marked a groundbreaking start to the games, but it also sparked controversy. This blog post provides a summary of the key moments and controversies surrounding the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
Controversy over Last Supper Performance
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony sparked controversy when some conservatives criticized a performance that they perceived as a mockery of the Last Supper. The performance featured models walking a catwalk erected along the Seine river, with one figure seated at the table in the center having a halo of light behind his head. Some critics saw this as a sacrilegious mockery of the biblical scene depicted in Leonardo da Vinci's famous painting. However, the organizers of the ceremony have denied that this was the intention of the performance.
Gojira's Groundbreaking Performance
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony also featured a groundbreaking performance by metal band Gojira. Gojira became the first metal band to play at the opening ceremony of an Olympic Games, and their performance was met with critical acclaim. Gojira's performance was particularly notable for the use of a custom ESP guitar curated especially for the showcase. The band's performance was a major moment for the metal genre and helped to bring the genre to a wider audience.
Other Highlights of the Ceremony
In addition to the controversy and the groundbreaking performance by Gojira, the Paris Olympics opening ceremony also featured a number of other highlights. The ceremony began with a performance by French singer Philippe Katerine, and it also included a parade of athletes from all over the world. The ceremony culminated in the lighting of the Olympic flame, which was carried into the stadium by French tennis player Gaël Monfils. The ceremony was a visually stunning and emotionally charged event that marked the official start of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Paris Olympics opening ceremony was a historic and controversial event that marked the official start of the games. The ceremony featured a number of highlights, including a groundbreaking performance by metal band Gojira. However, the ceremony also sparked controversy over a performance that some conservatives criticized as a mockery of the Last Supper. Despite the controversy, the ceremony was a visually stunning and emotionally charged event that set the stage for the rest of the games.
