Olympics opening ceremony ‘Last Supper’ controversy a misunderstanding, Birmingham business owner says

The controversy surrounding what appears to be a depiction of the “Last Supper” by drag performers at the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics is the result of a misunderstanding, a popular Birmingham business owner posted on Facebook.

“The scene in question was not a depiction of the Last Supper but rather an ancient Greek Bacchanal. This choice reflects the Olympics’ historical roots in ancient Greece,” Johnny Grimes wrote on Saturday.

Grimes is among the business partners who in 2023 purchased WorkPlay bar and music hall.

In 2020, when his downtown business Wheelhouse Salon was vandalized after the murder of George Floyd, Grimes had a mural of Floyd with the words “Bham Strong” on plywood placed where the store’s windows once were.

Grimes wrote that he “did a study tour through Greece in grad school. We actually visited Olympia, the place where the Olympics were created.”

That experience showed him the performance was a rendition of Bacchanalia celebration “honoring Bacchus, the god of wine, also known as Dionysus in Greek mythology. These festivals were characterized by their exuberance and festivities, often lasting for several days.

“Additionally, the figure you saw was not Death on a pale horse, but Sequana, the Goddess of the Seine River. Her presence was intended to symbolize the Olympic spirit and the river where the procession took place.”

Paris organizers apologized Sunday, saying they meant no disrespect to Christian believers.

The Olympics ceremony has been widely criticized by Alabama political leaders.

“This was an intentional choice to mock Christianity and Christians,” Sen. Katie Britt posted on X.

“It’s disgraceful. And it’s the same kind of bizarre craziness that’s being pushed on children and teenagers across America. We need to turn our eyes back to God and restore common sense,” Britt wrote.

Grimes said he decided to offer his take on Facebook, where he sees “incredibly diverse, offering perspectives across the entire spectrum,” in order “to help (his) Evangelical/Conservative friends understand the depiction they saw.”

“I’m putting myself out there. Let the fiery arrows loose,” Grimes wrote. “It’s always beneficial to seek understanding before jumping to conclusions.”