US-based Tech Firm Pulls Advertising from Paris Olympics Over “Last Supper” Mockery

Tech Firm Pulls Advertising from Paris Olympics Over ‘Last Supper’ Controversy

A US-based tech firm has made the decision to pull their advertising from the Olympic Games in Paris, France following a controversial performance during the opening ceremony that some have deemed a “mockery of the Last Supper.”

The divisive opening ceremony included a performance by a group of drag entertainers that at one point appeared to resemble Leonardo Da Vinci’s iconic painting, ‘The Last Supper.’ The official Olympics X/Twitter account clarified that the scene was actually an “interpretation of the Greek god Dionysus” and was meant to highlight the absurdity of violence between people.

Despite the explanation from the organizers, the performance has stirred up widespread controversy and condemnation, particularly from right-wing and sometimes Catholic conservatives in the United States. In response, Mississippi-based telecommunications and technology company, C-Spire, has announced that they will no longer be advertising at the games.

C-Spire stated, “We were shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. C-Spire will be pulling our advertising from the Olympics.” Company President and CEO Suzy Hays added, “We support our athletes who have worked hard to be a part of the Olympics, but we will not be associated with the offensive and unacceptable mockery of the Last Supper.”

The move by C-Spire has garnered support from their customers in the US, including Mississippi governor Tate Reeves. Meanwhile, the opening ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, has defended the inclusion of the drag acts, stating that the intention was to celebrate diversity and inclusivity.

Jolly emphasized, “Our intention was not to be subversive. We wanted to talk about diversity and the importance of being together. In France, we have artistic freedom and the right to express ourselves. I had no specific message to deliver, just to convey the values of freedom and diversity that we cherish in France.”