Riley Gaines, a former 12-time All-American collegiate swimmer, expressed her disappointment and outrage at the controversial "Last Supper" scene from the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.
She criticized the Olympic organizers for what she described as a "satanic, blasphemous display" that she believes will detract from the achievements of the athletes who have trained their entire lives to compete on that stage.
Gaines, known for hosting OutKick’s “Gaines for Girls” podcast and advocating for women's single-sex spaces, equality, and fairness, has been vocal about various issues, including her opposition to trans swimmer Lia Thomas competing in the 2022 national championships.
The "Last Supper" routine in the Opening Ceremony, which featured drag queens and dancers parodying the famous religious moment, sparked widespread controversy and drew criticism from many individuals, including Gaines.
The scene depicted eighteen individuals standing behind a long table in front of the Seine River and Eiffel Tower, with one woman wearing a halo that could be interpreted as a resemblance to Jesus Christ.
The Olympics' X account described the scene as an interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus, aiming to make people aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings.
However, the portrayal sparked backlash and led to an apology from the organizers.
In response to the criticism, spokesperson Anne Descamps emphasized that there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group and that the aim was to celebrate community tolerance.
The ceremony's artistic director, Thomas Jolly, also clarified that "The Last Supper" was not his inspiration and expressed regret if the performance had caused offense.
Amid the controversy, one Mississippi-based telecommunications and technology company, C Spire, decided to pull its advertising from the Olympics following the parody.
The incident has ignited a debate about artistic expression, religious sensitivity, and the boundaries of creative interpretation in public events like the Olympics.
While some have defended the performance as a celebration of tolerance and artistic freedom, others have condemned it as disrespectful and offensive.
As the 2024 Paris Olympics continue, the fallout from the controversial Opening Ceremony scene serves as a reminder of the complex intersection between art, culture, and societal values on a global stage.
