Paris Olympics organizers apologize for 'The Last Supper' controversy

The organizers' decision to recreate the biblical scene with drag queens drew the ire of the Catholic Church and several Christian groups. While U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson called the segment "shocking and insulting" to Christians around the world, The Bishops' Conference of France said via a statement that the scene was a "mockery and derision of Christianity." 

On Sunday, Paris Olympics organizers apologized for the "kitsch tableau" and clarified they meant no disrespect to any religious groups.

Elsewhere, Olympics artistic director Thomas Jolly refuted that "The Last Supper" was his inspiration to create the opening ceremony segment. 

In an interview with BFMTV, Jolly clarified that he wanted to create a "grand pagan festival" as a connection point to the gods of Olympus. Jolly also pointed to the tweet sent out by the organizers that shed light on the intent behind Dionysus as the protagonist. 

"It is Dionysus who arrives at the table. Why is he there? Because Dionysus is the Greek god of festivities and wine, and is the father of Sequana, the goddess of the Seine river," Jolly said.