Harassment of Olympics Ceremony Artists Sparks Macron’s Outrage 

AFP/APP 

Paris: France’s President Emmanuel Macron has expressed his strong condemnation of the cyberbullying directed at the choreographer of the Olympic Games opening ceremony, declaring that “nothing justifies threatening an artist.” 

Paris prosecutors have launched a probe into a cyber-harassment campaign after Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s artistic director, and other artists involved in the ceremony filed complaints. 

“The French were very proud of this ceremony,” said Macron on the sidelines of a visit to Paris Olympics volunteers. “France showed its audacity with the artistic freedom that it comes with.” 

“Its audacity has done many people good,” he added. 

Although largely praised, the show has also been criticised worldwide by religious authorities and conservative politicians for what they viewed as an offensive reference to The Last Supper. 

Doll and other organisers of the event have argued that in fact it depicted a pagan feast, featuring, among others, the Greek god of wine and pleasure, Dionysus. 

Prosecutors in the capital on Friday opened an investigation into insults directed against drag queen Nicky Doll, who featured in the controversial scene. 

Doll filed a complaint on Friday alleging public defamation from, among others, the English actor turned activist Laurence Fox, who has more than half a million followers on X, formerly Twitter. 

French DJ and lesbian activist Barbara Butch, who also took part in the ceremony, filed a complaint with prosecutors earlier this week over cyberbullying and death threats. 

The controversy surrounding the ceremony has attracted international attention, with various media outlets discussing the balance between artistic freedom and respect for cultural and religious sentiments. 

Several human rights organisations have condemned the harassment faced by the artists, calling for stronger measures to protect individuals from cyberbullying and threats. 

The French government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and freedom of expression for all artists involved in the Olympic Games. 

Macron spent the week at his summer residence on the Mediterranean Sea before travelling back to the capital on Friday. There he saw French athletes including judoka Teddy Riner and swimmer Léon Marchand win their latest Olympic golds.