Brazilian Olympian Rayssa Leal shared a Bible verse using sign language after winning a bronze medal in the women’s street skateboarding final.
Leal signed John 14:6, which says, “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.”
The 16-year-old’s gesture follows the Olympic Opening Ceremony mocking Christianity.
A group of provocatively dressed drag queens stood behind a long table during the performance, appearing to recreate the Lord’s Supper.
While some have argued that the visual more closely represented Greek gods, Olympic organizers have since issued an apology for the offensive imagery.
“The idea was to create a big pagan party in link with the God of Mount Olympus — and you will never find in me, or in my work, any desire of mocking anyone,” said Thomas Jolly, the opening ceremony director.
“Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance,” the Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps said. “We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are really sorry.”
