French prosecutors investigate death threats against officials at the opening ceremony
Following the spectacular and controversial opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris, official investigations have been launched into death threats made against those responsible for the show. This was announced on Sunday by the French prosecutor's office. Previously, the artistic director of the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly, had filed a complaint.
Jolly and two other officials of the opening ceremony "have filed a complaint against death threats," the prosecutor's office explained. Previously, the artistic director had also filed a complaint against other hate comments, with the office for combating crimes against humanity and hate crimes (OCLCH) taking over the investigation.
Jolly had been widely praised for the impressive opening ceremony. However, several scenes also sparked criticism in conservative and far-right circles. Particularly controversial was a depiction of a banquet of Greek gods that also recalls the famous Last Supper painting by Leonardo da Vinci. In it, several drag queens, a largely naked, blue-painted singer, and French DJ Barbara Butch, who advocates for the rights of lesbians and plus-sized women, appear. Butch herself has filed a complaint against "homophobic and fatphobic insults" in the face of hate comments.
Jolly later explained that it was figures from Greek mythology. He had not intended to offend religious feelings. The scene, he said, depicted a celebration on Mount Olympus, which gave its name to the Olympic Games.
The Commission has initiated an investigation into the hate comments directed toward Thomas Jolly and other officials, as per the OCLCH's announcement. Previously, Jolly had also filed a complaint about death threats and homophobic and fatphobic insults associated with the opening ceremony.
