Paris Olympics 2024: US Tech Giant Withdraws Ads After ‘Last Supper’ Opening Ceremony Controversy

A major US tech company has withdrawn its advertising from the Paris Olympics. On Saturday, Mississippi-based C Spire announced it was withdrawing ad sponsorship following a fierce reaction to a performance during the opening ceremony that many viewers found extremely offensive and blasphemous. The controversial performance included drag queens and dancers, which was considered a copy of the Last Supper.

Paris Olympics 2024: Tech companies withdraw Olympic advertising after controversy

The 2024 Olympic Games officially began on July 26 with an unconventional opening ceremony in Paris. Instead of the usual setup in the stadium, those in charge decided to go all over the city. Thousands of athletes and performers descended on the Seine River, culminating in a spectacular show against the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and a star-studded performance from Lady Gaga and Celine Dion. However, the opening ceremony was mired in controversy over a particular segment that many viewers considered “insulting to Christians”.

Telecommunications and technology company C Spire has joined the growing backlash, announcing on X that it has pulled all of its Olympic advertising. The company cited “mocking Christianity” in the ceremony as the reason behind its decision.

C Spire wrote on X, “We are appalled by the mockery of the Last Supper during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. The company is withdrawing its advertising from the Olympics.”

https://x.com/CSpire/status/1817212284512481485

Boycott Olympics advertising over the depiction of the Last Supper

After the four-hour ceremony ended, the internet was in a tizzy throughout the day. Some people criticized the inclusion of children in the drag performance and called it “overtly sexualized.” Others thought the scene, which resembled Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper painting, was a ‘joke’. But not everyone felt the same. Many felt the show was a great way to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and diversity.

Later, the ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly spoke openly about the act and said in a media briefing that this was never the intention. He said that the real idea was ‘inclusion’. According to Fox News, Jolly said, “Naturally, when we want to include everyone and not exclude anyone, questions arise.”

C Spire CEO Suzy Hayes also commented on the decision to stop the ads. In a statement given to the NY Post, “C Spire supports our athletes who have worked so hard to be a part of the Olympics.” She further said, “However, we will not be a part of the offensive and unacceptable mockery of the Last Supper, which is why we are removing our ads from the Olympics.”