Following the opening ceremony, the world is divided by some of the tableaux shown during the riverside action in the capital. The organizers have now apologised for their derring-do

Was the Olympics opening ceremony too pink?

It was an Olympic opening ceremony like no other. And it divided the world, not ready for an “alternative” staging. like no other, too. The controversies associated with the rain-soaked event have been surprisingly numerous, including alleged religious mockery and “LGBTQ+ agenda”, as well as identifying a country incorrectly (South Korean was introduced as “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea”, which is, in fact, North Korea) and flying the Olympics flag upside down. Not to mention one “wardrobe malfunction” (that exposed the male genitalia of a dancer, even if unintentional). And, the “fake” flame in the Olympic Cauldron (as it turned out, LED lights were used and water mist to mimic smoke). As the chorus of disapproval grows louder, with many saying they are “embarrassed for Paris” and calling the event “utter shambles”, the organizers have apologised, saying they are “really sorry”.

One tableau that has upset many, especially, it seems, Americans, is a line-up during the fashion-show-on-a-bridge segment of the night. Curvy French DJ, Barbara Butch, who is also the ambassadrice of the Jean Paul Gaultier fragrance La Belle Intense, was flanked by a bevy of drag queens that compositionally was thought to be evocative of The Last Supper, Leonardo de Vinci’s depiction of Jesus Christ’s final meal with the 12 apostles. Some even called it “Luciferian”. The Catholic Church in France believed the ceremony featured “scenes of derision and mockery”. It didn’t help that in the middle of it all, a half-dome cover was lifted to reveal a near-naked Dionysus-playing-Papa Smurf on a platter of fake flowers and fruits. Philippe Katerine, the actor who played the Greek god, later told Le Parisien: “Nudity is really the very origin of the Games.”

That tableau that has aroused immense displeasure and disapproval

The organisers were adamant that what was presented did not draw from any religious scenes. Spokesperson of the Paris Games Anne Descamps told reporters at a press conference: “Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group.” It was, unfortunately, clear to the many who are offended (some so much so that they have announced that they would be “boycotting” all the the competitions this year), but she did add: “If people have taken any offence, we are, of course, really, really sorry.” The International Olympic Committee later reacted via a statement: “The IOC has taken note of and welcomes the clarification given by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee regarding the Opening Ceremony.”

The artistic director of the event is theatre director Thomas Jolly, who is openly gay. He told news channel BFMTV that the scene that has ruffled so many was not inspired by The Last Supper: “It’s not my inspiration and that should be pretty obvious. There’s Dionysus arriving on a table. Why is he there? First and foremost because he is the god of celebration in Greek mythology and the tableau is called ‘Festivité’.” There are some who are now wondering if the Olympics, as a global event, has become so modern that many people, especially the non-Europeans, have forgotten its Greek roots. Mr Jolly added, with nationalistic pride: “In France, we have the right to love each other, as we want, with whoever we want. In France we have the right to believe and not to believe. In France, we have many rights.”

“In France, we have the right to love each other, as we want, with whoever we want. In France we have the right to believe and not to believe. In France, we have many rights.”—artistic director Thomas Jolly

Despite the vehement denial of drawing inspiration from a widely accepted religious occurrence, the organisers were quick to not encourage further viewing and scrutiny of the broadcast of the opening ceremony. This could be seen as admission to the stunning lapse of oversight. As of now, the official video of Paris 2024 has been removed from the Olympics website. The text “This video is not available” against a black screen took the place of the post (but, there is a link on the homepage to “Watch On MeWatch”). Even on their YouTube page, the broadcast, too, is removed. No explanation of the video’s swift removal has been offered. Other videos of the event are still available online.

Those who were oblivious to the supposed religious reference did notice the unprecedented shout out to inclusivity, noticing the appearance of noted drag performers among the models. Although they were supposedly showing off French fashion, they did approach it as if the show was Drag Race. In fact, the Drag Race icon Nicky Doll, who has appeared on the French franchise, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World and now hosts France’s very own edition of the show, strutted her staff on the bridge-runway. She was joined by Drag Race France Season 1 winner Paloma, as well as Season 3’s Piche, and Giselle Palmer.

A pink parade happening concurrently as the boats carrying athletes cruises by

In the country of the Tricolore, some people were also astonished that the opening ceremony (at least for the first half) was rather pink, a colour often associated with LGBTQ (as in the “pink dollar”) pride. It was also bookended by two performers considered to be “gay icons”: Lady Gaga and Celine Dion. Lady Gaga’s segment was pink enough, but what followed after her song was a seeming Pride parade, with revellers and big-headed dolls seating on the parapet, all dressed totally in pink. It was like Pink Dot let loose. This was augmented by flags and buntings of pink, spectators stands framed in fuschia, and pink-hued scenes of Paris that lined the banks of the Seine. So perceptible was the patina of pink that it prompted Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to reveal her homophobic self, viciously describing the march as a “giant gay parade”.

While Paris may have tried to show how inclusive and tolerant they are, the world’s reaction is proof that we are not. The irony isn’t lost when boycotts are called for a global sporting meet that is assembled to unite or to show the strength of unity. Or, what the Olympics consider to be “unity in diversity”. It has been a field day for the religious right, with some claiming that “the devil overplayed his hand in the culture these days.” The IOC has since 2021 relaxed the rules that had previously barred athletes from making political, religious or other statements of belief or identity during the roughly three-week competition. At the Tokyo Games, athletes were even allowed to don rainbow colours. In Paris this year, participants are “free to speak and to share their messages”. But change, as it appeared two nights ago, has not happened rapide enough.

Illustration (top): Just So. Screengrabs; mediacorp/YouTube