Investigation into 'Death Threats' Against Director of Paris Olympic Opening Ceremony

As the Paris Olympic Games approach their final days, the French judiciary has opened several investigations into threats related to the Olympic opening ceremony. Organizers of the Paris Olympic opening ceremony announced that they filed a complaint with the French judiciary following death threats against Thomas Jolly, the director of the ceremony, and Barbara Butch, a DJ and civil activist who attended the event. Following this announcement, media reported the opening of investigations into these threats. Tony Estanguet, the president of the Paris Olympic organizing committee, condemned these threats and expressed solidarity with the artists present at the opening ceremony. He stated in a press conference, 'On behalf of the Paris Olympic organizing committee, we firmly condemn all these threats and harassment that may have occurred against Thomas Jolly and the artists present at this opening ceremony.' Estanguet added, 'It is clear that we support this incredible team that has gifted us an extraordinary moment with the courage and difficulty they displayed in their performance. This ceremony will forever be a milestone.' Previously, investigations had also been opened regarding cyberbullying against the artistic director of the opening ceremony and the artists involved in a performance that was said to mimic Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper. This performance provoked outrage from the Catholic Church, far-right politicians in France, and some other Western countries. The Olympic organizers apologized and stated that there was no intention to disrespect any religious group. On the seventh of Mordad, the spokesperson for the Paris 2024 Olympic organizing committee, Ann Decamps, said in a press conference, 'It is clear that there was never any intention to show disrespect to any religious group. The opening ceremony aimed to celebrate tolerance in society.' He added, 'We believe this goal has been achieved.' Jolly also denied any intention to mock Christianity in an interview with BFMTV, stating, 'You will never find in me a desire to mock or belittle anything. I wanted to hold a ceremony that reconciles different groups and affirms the values of our Republic.' Despite the controversies, polls indicate that the majority of French people view the Paris Olympic opening ceremony as 'successful.' Rachida Dati, France's Minister of Culture, wrote on social media platform X that the government will stand by all threatened artists and will not allow France to be intimidated as a 'country of creative freedom.' However, other controversies have also overshadowed the Paris Olympics recently. Saudi rower Hussein Alireza shared a video of an Italian athlete on social media that was filmed without his knowledge. In the video, Thomas Ceccon, the Italian swimmer and Olympic champion in the 100-meter backstroke, is seen sleeping on a towel behind a bench in one of the parks of the Olympic Village. He had previously criticized the welfare conditions in the Olympic Village, including the lack of proper air conditioning in the athletes' rooms.