France 🇫🇷: "The idea was to create a grand pagan celebration linked to the gods of Olympus," stated Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics, on Sunday morning (28th).

"I wanted to create a ceremony that heals, that reconciles," and "You will never find in my work any intention to denigrate anyone," Thomas said in response to the criticisms of the opening ceremony.