France and the IOC Show the World Their True Colors

Olympic athletes spend countless hours and years preparing to represent their country on the biggest stage to display their athletic prowess. Every four years, the summer games are looked forward to with great expectation. Whether you are a fan of classic events like basketball, track and field, swimming, and gymnastics, or newer events like break dancing. surfing, climbing, kayaking, or skateboarding, we share in the experience of the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. What we don’t always expect is blatant displays of religious insensitivity and progressive ideology that works against the fairness of the games. 

The opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic games did not occur without controversy this year. The opening ceremony is a way for the host country to put on display their culture and welcome each participating nation to the event. While most Americans did not see the entirety of the ceremony live as in years past, social media brought to the attention of people across the world images of a mockery of the Last Supper of Christ.  

Instead of a depiction that was reminiscent of the painting by Michaelangelo, the creative director in charge of the ceremonial performance chose a full transgender and gay pride show, complete with exposed genitalia, an idolatrous feast, and onlooking children. In a separate part of the ceremony was what many have described as being a homage to one of the four horses of the apocalypse. 

Since that time, the choreographer has come forth claiming no intention to disrespect people of faith but to give an interpretation of Dionysus the Greek god of festivities. Despite the apologies, clearly, the Pope and others in the faith community do not buy the explanation or the apology. 

We’re now into the second week of the games but the first week saw devastating consequences of liberal and progressive ideology. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) permitted biological men to compete in the women’s boxing event. One woman who faced a biological male stopped their match after devastating blows proved to be more than she was willing to endure. Angela Carini, the female boxer was from Italy and voiced the unfairness of having to fight someone that is not a female. The IOC passed the competitor, Imane Khelif, despite the International Boxing Association having previously disqualified Imane for not passing the standard as a biological female. 

France and the IOC are being completely unapologetic about what they are willing to permit and promote. They appear completely okay and complicit in allowing the promotion of cultural erosion. The question is whether the rest of the world is willing to stay committed to this treatment of Christians and women.  

The pendulum has swung so far to one side. There needs to be an admission that it is time for the pendulum to find its way back to center. The need for sensibility is long overdue. 

These events that are unfolding at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are but a small sample of the degradation that is occurring on the mountain of arts and entertainment. God intended for the mountain of arts and entertainment to reflect the glory of creation and beauty. The true beauty of the games is being tarnished beyond belief. While much of the games continue to go off without controversy, the doors are being opened to things that should never have been allowed to be open. The gatekeepers are either abdicating their position or they have turned a blind eye to the infiltration of the enemy’s tactics. 

As we draw closer to the end of the games, let our prayers continue to be for the safety of those participating, pray for wisdom, sensibility, and responsible leadership to prevail among the International Olympic Committee, and pray for the future of the games to restore the image of the best of its host nations.