Paris Olympics Ceremony Draws Praise and Controversy

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris featured an elaborate boat parade with nearly 100 vessels carrying athletes from 206 countries along the Seine, concluding at the Eiffel Tower. Despite the rain, 300,000 spectators attended. However, a controversial segment that many viewed as mocking Leonardo Da Vinci’s 'The Last Supper' with drag queens and a transgender model sparked backlash from Christian communities and public figures. Paris Olympic organizers issued an apology, asserting no disrespect was intended. Despite the controversy, the ceremony drew record-breaking viewership, with 28.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched since the 2012 London Games.