Thousands of social media users have threatened to boycott the Paris Olympics after the opening ceremony was heavily criticised on Friday.
Angry viewers took to X, where #boycottOlympics and #boycottParis2024 trended the next day.
In particular, the appearance of a ‘naked blue man’ in a scene resembling the Last Supper angered many spectators, especially Christians.
One of them wrote: ‘What a shameful opening of the 2024 Olympic Games #BoycottOlympics.’
Another stated that they “didn’t care about the Olympics” but were now “boycotting them 100 percent.”
Thousands of social media users have threatened to boycott the upcoming Paris Olympics after the opening ceremony was widely panned and #boycottOlympics trended on X. One baffling aspect was the involvement of a ‘naked blue man’ (pictured)
His appearance in a scene resembling the Last Supper angered many onlookers, especially Christians
One viewer wrote: ‘What a shameful opening to the 2024 Olympics #BoycottOlympics.’
Dozens of X users also joined the protests, leaving the following comment: ‘The opening ceremony was a disgrace and a slap in the face to all Christians #boycottOlympics.
‘Are you serious?!? This is blasphemous and God cannot be mocked! #BoycottOlympics.
“Why on earth would anyone go to such lengths to offend as many Christians as possible? It’s insane that this kind of “show” even made it past the proposal stage. #BoycottOlympics.
‘Respect Jesus Christ and reject any mockery of Jesus’ Last Supper. Retweet if you support #BoycottOlympics.
‘The spectacle was despicable, insulting and utterly vile. #BoycottOlympics #BoycottParis2024.
‘Will these be the first Olympics that never happened? Which country will be the first to be brave enough to boycott? Fingers crossed #BoycottOlympics.’
Dozens of X users joined the group, with one commenting: ‘The opening ceremony was a disgrace and a slap in the face to all Christians #boycottOlympics’
Many were also angry about the subsequent performance of French heavy metal band Gojira (pictured), who played ‘Ah! Ça Ira’ – a popular song during the French Revolution
The band was accompanied by opera singer Marina Viotti and a large number of decapitated figures representing the murdered Queen Marie Antoinette (pictured).
The Olympic flag was raised upside down in an even clearer failure
Although many disagreed with this part of the ceremony, as it was a parody of the Last Supper, the official Olympic report, X, suggested the opposite, describing the ‘naked blue man’ as an ‘interpretation of the Greek god Dionysus’.
Dionysus is the Greek god of fertility and has nothing to do with the Last Supper.
French actor and singer Phillippe Katerine played the controversial role and dismissed the critics, telling BFM TV: ‘It wouldn’t be fun if there was no controversy. Wouldn’t it be boring if everyone on this planet agreed with each other?’
However, the Catholic Church in France has criticized the fragment. The French Bishops’ Conference issued a statement saying: “This ceremony unfortunately included scenes of mockery and ridicule of Christianity, which we deeply regret.”
Many were also angry about the subsequent performance by French heavy metal band Gojira, who played “Ah! Ça Ira” – a popular song during the French Revolution.
The band was accompanied by opera singer Marina Viotti and a large number of decapitated figures representing the murdered Queen Marie Antoinette.
The bright and fiery aesthetic has angered Christians online, who claim that having the band perform at the opening ceremony encourages Satanism.
Even controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate angrily called the opening ceremony satanic and accused the West of “worshipping the devil.”
“Satanists control the West and they show you that they worship the devil. It’s not a conspiracy theory. They literally show you. Are you blind?” he said.
Tesla and SpaceX owner Elon Musk also weighed in, calling the scenes “extremely disrespectful to Christians.” He added: “Christianity has become toothless.”
The ceremony was also marred by pouring rain. Spectators complained of poor audio and technical problems, and saw thousands of athletes bury themselves in ponchos as they paraded down the River Seine on a series of boats.
One of the biggest failures was that South Korea was wrongly announced as North Korea, even before the Olympic flag was raised upside down.
But Emmanuel Macron then proudly told the organizers: ‘Bravo, you made France shine.’
However, the opening ceremony ended in an undeniable blaze of glory with a spectacular light show around the Eiffel Tower
Celine Dion was praised by viewers for saving a rainy opening ceremony during her first public appearance since being diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome
Addressing organizers after the ceremony, which he attended with his wife Brigitte, President Macron appeared to ignore criticism of the unique ceremony, which took place entirely outdoors on a trip along the Seine.
He told the audience: ‘Bravo to all the artists, organizers, police, administrators, ministers, volunteers. From the Minister of the Interior, to all the artists, a big compliment and be very proud, you made France shine. Bravo!’
His words were met with cheers and applause, after a difficult night for many of the thousands of performers, dancers and singers who took part in the four-hour procession.
The opening ceremony ended with an undeniably glorious performance by Canadian singer Celine Dion from a spectacularly lit Eiffel Tower.