The Olympic Games have been really bizarre

I am typically a huge Olympics fan because I am very big into national pride and love to shamelessly root for the USA. Gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, soccer, or even canoeing, judo and fencing — don’t care, will watch.

Unfortunately, this year’s Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France were immediately marred by the obvious mockery of the Christian faith during the opening ceremony. There was a drag show version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s depiction of Jesus Christ’s Last Supper with his apostles prior to his crucifixion (plus, separately, a faceless rider on a pale horse and a queer ménage à trois). A spokesperson for the Paris Olympics initially admitted to the New York Post that the creative director of the opening ceremony was indeed inspired by Da Vinci before walking that back and attempting to gaslight the world. A new statement released by the spokesperson claimed the scene was actually a depiction of a feast featuring the gods of Olympus. Sureeee. Despite contradictory explanations for the scene, Olympic organizers apologized for it and claimed the intent was not to “show disrespect” but to “celebrate community tolerance.”  

I doubt anyone here needs an explanation as to why it would be offensive to replace Jesus and his Apostles with gender-bending burlesque dancers. Nor need I overly point out the hypocrisy of this happening in a country where people were murdered for drawing a cartoon of the Islamic prophet, Mohammed. The French Bishops’ Conference released a statement denouncing the opening ceremony: “This ceremony unfortunately included scenes of mockery and derision of Christianity, which we deeply regret… This morning, we are thinking of all the Christians on every continent who have been hurt by the outrageousness and provocation of certain scenes.”

There have since been other controversies during this Olympics. The IOC cleared two boxers to compete at the Olympics who previously failed gender tests that are in place to ensure female competitors do not exceed baseline levels of testosterone. Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan and Imane Khelif of Algeria failed tests by the Russian-led International Boxing Association during the world championships in 2023 but the IOC claims they passed all regulations ahead of the Olympics. Video of a seemingly unfair fight between Khelif and another female boxer went viral on social media. The IBA said Khelif actually tested positive for XY chromosomes, but Khelif contends that this was a lie to prevent an Algerian boxer from winning the worlds. Meanwhile, two Zambian soccer players who were prohibited from playing in a 2022 tournament due to elevated testosterone levels were also cleared to play in the Olympics. They managed to score five goals in under an hour of play against the Australian women’s soccer team. The United States, the most winning team in international women’s soccer, just edged out Australia by one goal.

There have also been numerous delays to the triathlon competition due to water quality concerns in the Seine River. It cost France nearly $1.5 billion to improve the water quality for the Olympics, and parts of the race track on Monday and Tuesday still tested above acceptable levels for bacteria, including E. Coli. 

One bright spot in this sullied Olympics? Stephen Nedoroscik, a cross-eyed, bespectacled pommel horse specialist for the US men’s gymnastics team that hangs out on the sideline solving Rubik’s cubes and visualizing his routine until it’s his turn to compete. He nailed his routine after a two-hour wait on Monday, helping the US men earn their first medal in gymnastics in sixteen years. More events like that; less Christian mockery, men in women’s sports and poop water, please!