Greenville Reporter

North Carolina State Representative Gregory F. Murphy described the Olympic Opening Ceremony's "Artistic" Director's actions as "horrible and shameful," criticizing the director for allegedly ridiculing Christ's Last Supper. Murphy called for the director's dismissal and advocated for a "non-profane Closing Ceremony." He made these remarks in a July 27 post on X.

"How absolutely horrible and shameful for the 'Artistic' Director of the Olympic Opening Ceremony to ridicule Christ's Last Supper," said F. Murphy. "Disgusting. He should be fired and there better be working on a non-profane Closing ceremony."

Paris 2024 organizers issued an apology following criticism of a segment in the Olympic Games opening ceremony. The segment, which included drag queens, a transgender model, and a naked performer portraying Dionysus, was criticized for its resemblance to Leonardo da Vinci's "The Last Supper." According to Reuters, Catholic and Christian groups expressed their disapproval of the tableau.

Rep. Greg Murphy's post | x

"We wanted to include everyone, as simple as that," said Jolly in a press conference posted on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Media YouTube channel. "In France, we have freedom of creation, artistic freedom. We are lucky in France to live in a free country. I didn’t have any specific messages that I wanted to deliver. In France, we are a republic; we have the right to love whom we want, we have the right not to be worshippers, we have a lot of rights in France, and this is what I wanted to convey."

Murphy is currently serving his third term representing North Carolina’s Third Congressional District, which encompasses significant regions of Eastern North Carolina. He holds key positions on several committees including the House Ways and Means Committee, the House Veterans Affairs Committee, and the Committee on House Administration. Additionally, he co-chairs the House GOP Doctors Caucus. According to House.gov, Murphy graduated with academic honors from Davidson College and the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine and is noted as the sole practicing surgeon among current congressional members.