02:04Mandatory credit: IOC News use only/ Restrix: Content may not be used after August 27
Anne Descamps, spokesperson for the Olympic Games, apologised for 'any offence' caused following a row which erupted over a moment in the Opening Ceremony that apparently featured drag queens and dancers re-enacting Leonardo da Vinci's painting 'The Last Supper'.
“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group," she said, speaking at a press conference in Paris on Sunday. "On the contrary, I think that [ceremony art director] Thomas Jolly really tried to celebrate community tolerance. That was his word yesterday. Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are, of course, really, really sorry.”
Criticism came online following the ceremony, as well as from the French Bishops' Conference, which expressed deep regret over what it described as "scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity."
Despite this, Descamps highlighted the positive reception of the ceremony among the French public, noting that 96 percent considered the event a success. Mark Adams, spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), added that the ceremony received an 88 percent approval rating based on a survey conducted in 15 territories globally.
"76 percent said that this was the most memorable Olympic Games opening ceremony ever, and 85 percent said it inspired them to follow the Olympic Games for the rest of the two weeks," Adams added.
The 2024 Olympic Games are taking place in Paris from July 26 to August 11, marking the third time the French capital has hosted the Summer Olympics, following the 1900 and 1924 games.
'We are really sorry' - Olympic Games spox addresses 'Last Supper' Opening Ceremony row
Anne Descamps, spokesperson for the Olympic Games, apologised for 'any offence' caused following a row which erupted over a moment in the Opening Ceremony that apparently featured drag queens and dancers re-enacting Leonardo da Vinci's painting 'The Last Supper'.
“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group," she said, speaking at a press conference in Paris on Sunday. "On the contrary, I think that [ceremony art director] Thomas Jolly really tried to celebrate community tolerance. That was his word yesterday. Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are, of course, really, really sorry.”
Criticism came online following the ceremony, as well as from the French Bishops' Conference, which expressed deep regret over what it described as "scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity."
Despite this, Descamps highlighted the positive reception of the ceremony among the French public, noting that 96 percent considered the event a success. Mark Adams, spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), added that the ceremony received an 88 percent approval rating based on a survey conducted in 15 territories globally.
"76 percent said that this was the most memorable Olympic Games opening ceremony ever, and 85 percent said it inspired them to follow the Olympic Games for the rest of the two weeks," Adams added.
The 2024 Olympic Games are taking place in Paris from July 26 to August 11, marking the third time the French capital has hosted the Summer Olympics, following the 1900 and 1924 games.
Mandatory credit: IOC News use only/ Restrix: Content may not be used after August 27
Anne Descamps, spokesperson for the Olympic Games, apologised for 'any offence' caused following a row which erupted over a moment in the Opening Ceremony that apparently featured drag queens and dancers re-enacting Leonardo da Vinci's painting 'The Last Supper'.
“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group," she said, speaking at a press conference in Paris on Sunday. "On the contrary, I think that [ceremony art director] Thomas Jolly really tried to celebrate community tolerance. That was his word yesterday. Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are, of course, really, really sorry.”
Criticism came online following the ceremony, as well as from the French Bishops' Conference, which expressed deep regret over what it described as "scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity."
Despite this, Descamps highlighted the positive reception of the ceremony among the French public, noting that 96 percent considered the event a success. Mark Adams, spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), added that the ceremony received an 88 percent approval rating based on a survey conducted in 15 territories globally.
"76 percent said that this was the most memorable Olympic Games opening ceremony ever, and 85 percent said it inspired them to follow the Olympic Games for the rest of the two weeks," Adams added.
The 2024 Olympic Games are taking place in Paris from July 26 to August 11, marking the third time the French capital has hosted the Summer Olympics, following the 1900 and 1924 games.