- Investigation into death threats against organizers of Olympic opening ceremony
Following the spectacular yet controversial opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris, official investigations into death threats against those responsible for the show have been launched. The French prosecutor's office announced this on Sunday. Previously, the artistic director of the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly, had filed a complaint.
Jolly and two other organizers of the opening ceremony "have filed a complaint against death threats," the prosecutor's office stated. Previously, the artistic director had already filed a complaint against other hate comments, which the office for combating crimes against humanity and hate crimes (OCLCH) took over.
Olympic Opening Ceremony Sparks Controversy
Jolly was widely praised for the dazzling 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 reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci's famous Last Supper painting. It features 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. Butch herself has filed a complaint against "homophobic and fat-phobic insults" in the face of hate comments.
Jolly later explained that the figures were from Greek mythology and that 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.
Despite the controversy surrounding certain elements of the opening ceremony, Thomas Jolly's artistic direction was largely commended. However, Jolly and other organizers, including Barbara Butch, had to file complaints against death threats and hateful comments they received following the event.
