Outrage Over Last Supper Mockery: C Spire Pulls Sponsorship from Paris 2024 Olympics

Outrage Over Last Supper Mockery: C Spire Pulls Sponsorship from Paris 2024 Olympics

In a surprising move, C Spire, has declared that it will no longer advertise during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This move by the telecommunication and technology company came after a controversial depiction during the opening ceremony that many viewers found deeply offensive and blasphemous as reported by Degans News (US).

At the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, viewers witnessed a significant scene on the Debilly Bridge over the Seine River. French DJ and love activist Barbara Butch, wearing a blue dress and a silver headdress. Flanked by drag queens on both sides, Butch stood out as a symbol of diversity and inclusion.

However, an intriguing twist occurred, a nearly naked man, painted in blue, emerged on a dinner plate amidst a feast. This portrayal symbolized Dionysus, the ancient Greek god linked to wine-making, vegetation, fertility, and ecstasy. As he sang, people danced around him, and the scene transformed into a runway where models confidently strutted their stuff.

The company responded on X, stating, “We were shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. C-Spire will pull our advertising from the Olympics.” Jim Richmond, C Spire’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing Operations were in support of the company’s move.

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In response to the controversy, Paris Olympic organizers promptly apologized to those who felt offended. They clarified that the blue figure symbolized Dionysus, not the biblical Last Supper. Even after the clarification, various Christian and specifically Catholic groups globally expressed strong disapproval.

The French Bishops’ Conference, representing the country’s Catholic bishops, condemned the scene as a mockery and derision of Christianity.

The ongoing controversy surrounding the Paris 2024 Olympics centers not only on artistic decisions but also on the fine line between creative expression and cultural sensitivity. C Spire’s advertising withdrawal sends a powerful message about the impact of such moments on corporate branding and values.