Olympics opening ceremony tableau sparks controversy among Christian community

The opening ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, confirmed that Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” was not his inspiration for the performance.

While the theatrical opening ceremony at the 2024 Paris Olympics brought a myriad of memorable moments, one scene from the performance has prompted mixed reactions.

The four-hour ceremony on July 26 kicked off the start of the Summer Games, with athletes gliding down the River Seine and performers reenacting internationally historic moments.

During a tableau, drag queens and dancers lined a long table in an image that sparked controversy, some initially believed resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” portrait of Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles.