Published on July 29, 2024, 12:58 am

The 2024 Olympic games witnessed an unforeseen setback when a significant sponsor, C Spire, withdrew its support in the wake of the opening ceremony. The controversy stirred by a portrayal of the Last Supper involving drag queens as Jesus and the apostles resulted in the technology firm’s decision to pull their advertising muscle from the prestigious event.

The Mississippi-based telecommunications company declared its move on Saturday via social media, following outrage over what it termed a “mockery” of this significant moment in Christian faith.

“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,” noted a post from C Spire.

Meanwhile, negative views regarding this aspect of the opening ceremony were not confined to sponsors alone. Bishop Robert Barron, a prominent Catholic figure associated with Minnesota’s Diocese of Winona-Rochester, publicly denounced what he perceived as a “gross mockery” made during international proceedings.

Barron passionately urged his fellow Christians to resist this depiction and to voice their opposition against such forms of derision: “France felt, evidently…the right thing to do is to mock this very central moment in Christianity where Jesus at his last supper gives His body and blood in anticipation of the cross.”

Indeed, powerful voices beyond those within religious circles have also come forward to champ at defiance against such displays. Tate Reeves, Republican Governor for Mississippi, expressed both pride and encouragement over C Spire’s stand against this interpretation of Christian values within an international platform like the Olympics event.

These unfolding events around controversial portrayals spotlight how corporate giants may leverage their influence towards advocating for societal values that they believe mirror their brand identity or cultural ethos. As trusted news providers with focus on sharing real news grounded on Christian worldviews, we point out possible implications these decisions hold for future sponsorship deals between corporates and major global events.