Rob Schneider boycotts Paris Olympics over drag show at opening ceremony, claims it 'celebrates Satan'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Rob Schneider has announced his boycott of the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics, citing a controversial opening ceremony that he describes as Satanic display that "disrespects Christianity."
The 'Saturday Night Live' alum took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his outrage at the event's depiction as he wrote, "I am sorry to say to ALL the world's GREATEST ATHLETES, I wish you ALL THE BEST, but I cannot watch an Olympics that disrespects Christianity and openly celebrates Satan."
I am sorry to say to ALL the world’s GREATEST ATHLETES, I wish you ALL THE BEST, but I cannot watch an Olympics that disrespects Christianity and openly celebrates Satan.
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) July 28, 2024
I sincerely hope THESE @Olympics get the same amount of viewers as @cspan https://t.co/M7XAbcNVJq
Why is the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony controversial?
Paris 2024 Olympics organizers have faced backlash for a tableau during the opening ceremony that evoked Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper.'
The scene featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch, an LGBTQ+ icon surrounded by drag artists and dancers.
Notably, one backup dancer appeared to have his genitals exposed during the performance.
Rob Schneider criticizes drag artists
In a separate post, Schneider wrote, "Guys with their genitalia hanging out in front of children?!"
"Drag Queens?! I wasn't sure if I was watching the @Olympics or if I was watching a school board meeting," the 60-year-old added.
Guys with their genitalia hanging out in front of children?! Drag Queens?!
— Rob Schneider (@RobSchneider) July 28, 2024
I wasn’t sure if I was watching the @Olympics or if I was watching a school board meeting… pic.twitter.com/JpRw4UPqDA
The segment has been widely decried by religious conservatives worldwide.
The French Catholic Church's conference of bishops have criticized the performance, deploring "scenes of derision" that they stated made a mockery of Christianity.
Paris 2024 Olympics organizers' apologies and defense
In response to the controversy, Paris 2024 Olympics organizers apologised to anyone who was offended by the tableau. However, they defended the concept, according to Newsweek.
Thomas Jolly, the ceremony's artistic director distanced the scene from any 'Last Supper' parallels, stating that it was performed to celebrate diversity and pay tribute to feasting and French gastronomy.
During an International Olympic Committee news conference on Sunday, July 28, Paris 2024 Olympics spokesperson Anne Descamps addressed the controversy.
"Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think [with] Thomas Jolly, we really did try to celebrate community tolerance," said Descamps.
"Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense we are, of course, really, really sorry," she added.
