Most of us are aware of the controversy surrounding the opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics in which a puzzling and bizarre scene unfolded: a parody of Leonardo Da Vinci’s wall painting of The Last Supper. Despite explanations by officials of the Paris Olympic games, millions around the world (both Christians of different denominations as well as peoples of other religions) interpreted the scene as an unnecessary and offensive parody of the moment in which Christ had given to the Church and world the gift of His very self in the Eucharist, the gift of the ordained priesthood, and the example of service to others (the washing of the feet). Much has been said. I wish to highlight parts of a statement that the French bishops issued on July 27 deploring the scenes.
While the opening ceremony was a “marvelous display of beauty and joy, rich in emotion and universally acclaimed,” – [For me, I am thinking of the athletes floating upon the Seine River in boats, or the colors and music, or the backdrops of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral, which is presently being rebuilt after a 2019 fire] – “unfortunately, it included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which offended Christians and other peoples on every continent.” The French bishops, in their statement, stressed the need of values disseminated by sports and Olympism that contribute to the “need for unity and fraternity that our world so desperately needs” while respecting the cultures, values and convictions of others.
While sports, of its nature, arouses exciting and healthy competition, it also brings people together in the spirit of camaraderie and in a sense of unity in striving to be the best. French Bishop Emmanuel Gobilliard of Digne, who is also a Vatican representative, stressed that the Olympic Games are the last place to create such divisions. He stated, “It is contrary to the Olympic Charter, to the dimension of unity that is present in its values, to the idea of bringing everyone together, without political and religious demonstrations.”
On this note, I wish to recall a positive and moving moment that occurred in Spain in 2012 that exquisitely demonstrates the spirit of Olympism. The scene can be viewed on YouTube under the title: “Integrity: Losing a Race Made Him Famous.” While it was not an Olympic event, it was a race among world-class runners.
When long-distance Spanish runner Iván Fernández was given the opportunity to pass Kenyan runner Abel Mutai at the end of a race because Mutai had misunderstood where the finish line was, rather than exploit his mistake and take first place honors, Fernández chose to point Mutai forward and let Mutai cross the finish line first. Mutai was about 10 meters ahead of Fernandez and would have easily won, but his mental mistake had left him just short of the finish line. The description of the video states, “Ivan’s gesture of kindness transcended the boundary of sport, leaving an indelible mark on millions who have since heard his story.”
Since many of us love and participate in sports, and since the Olympics truly excite people and unite peoples throughout the world in an extraordinary way, may Fernandez’s example, too, lead the way on not only how to compete in sports, but also on how to let sports bring out the noble spirit of humanity and unite us in the spirit of universal brotherhood and sisterhood.
Father Matthew Weber is pastor of Holy Cross Parish, Bridgeton.
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