Pat McAfee has joined the chorus of criticism after the Paris Olympics began with a controversial opening ceremony.
The ESPN host urged organizers of the 2028 Los Angeles Games to avoid the kind of scandal that has marred the start of this summer’s Olympics.
Donald Trump is among those who have condemned last week’s “disgraceful” opening ceremony, which featured… fierce backlash against controversial religious depictions during the dazzling event.
Organizers have apologized to those offended by a painting evoking Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” which depicts the moment when Jesus Christ declared that an apostle would betray him.
Friday’s ceremony featured DJ and producer Barbara Butch, an LGBTQ+ icon, flanked by drag performers and dancers. One backup dancer appeared to have his genitals exposed during the ceremony.
Pat McAfee has joined the chorus of criticism of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics
This scene featuring drag queens performing The Last Supper caused controversy during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Friday night.
Religious conservatives around the world criticized the segment and now McAfee has joined in criticizing Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening ceremony.
“There are a lot of people who say, ‘What Thomas Jolly did was incredibly disrespectful… and rightly so,'” McAfee said.
“I have no idea how all of this relates to the start of the Olympics or the announcement that the Olympics are taking place.”
He added: “We just want it to be about sports and we can’t let the opening ceremony be a reason for people not to see these athletes who have sacrificed their lives to be great at something and only get to experience it and celebrate it once every four years.”
A blue-painted singer represented the Greek god Dionysus during Friday’s ceremony.
Thomas Jolly was the artistic director of the opening ceremony of this summer’s Olympic Games
McAfee lamented the “self-created” drama surrounding the start of the Games, urging local Olympics organisers in 2028 to allow sports to take centre stage.
“I hope next time we think about that… we can’t let things that aren’t part of the movie be the reason people don’t see it. Because when you see it, it’s magic!” he said.
“There are a lot of people who say they’re not going to watch the Olympics because of the opening ceremony. Now, I’ve learned a lot about a man named Thomas Jolly… the only thing I haven’t read or seen is that he cares about sports,” McAfee added.
“That’s the most important thing: we need people who love sports to be part of sporting events.”