Religious leaders from around the world have come together for an Olympic interfaith ceremony at the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. The event, attended by IOC Chief Thomas Bach and Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet, aimed to promote peace and unity among people of different faiths. Bach called on all those present, regardless of their beliefs, to join athletes in their call for peace.
The decision to hold the ceremony at the iconic Notre Dame cathedral was a tribute to the first-ever interfaith meeting organized by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, a century ago in Paris. This event comes after backlash against certain scenes at the French Opening Ceremony, particularly a segment that appeared to parody The Last Supper with drag artists. Religious leaders criticized the scene for mocking Christianity, and controversial media personality Andrew Tate even organized a protest near the French embassy in Romania.
In response to the backlash, Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps apologized for any offense caused, stating that there was never an intention to disrespect any religious group. She explained that the opening ceremony was meant to celebrate community tolerance. The interfaith ceremony at Notre Dame served as a reminder of the importance of respect and acceptance among people of all faiths, carrying on the legacy of Coubertin’s vision for unity through sport.
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