The opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games showcased French history, Parisian culture, and the LGBT community in an unprecedented manner along the banks of the Seine.
Withdraws Advertisements
According to Ziare however, the event sparked controversy, particularly among Catholic viewers, who were offended by the inclusion of drag queens and a parody of the Last Supper, the final meal Jesus Christ shared with his twelve apostles on Maundy Thursday.
In response to the perceived mockery, American telecommunications company C-Spire, the sixth-largest telecom provider in the U.S., announced it would withdraw all its advertisements from the Olympic Games.
"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," the company stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Intended as Celebration
The move by C-Spire received public backing from Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves.
He expressed his support, saying, "I am proud to see the private sector in Mississippi taking a stand and drawing a line. God will not be mocked. C-Spire has drawn a line of common decency, which is appropriate."
The decision underscores the sensitivity surrounding religious representations in public events and the varying responses they can elicit.
While the ceremony was intended to celebrate diversity and inclusivity, it inadvertently sparked a debate over the boundaries of artistic expression and respect for religious sentiments.
