Officials at Mississippi technology company C Spire were definitely not inspired by the Olympic Opening Ceremonies Friday in Paris.
C Spire, which is the largest privately-held wireless company in the United States, quickly reacted to a controversy and decided to pull its advertising from the rest of the games, which is being broadcast by the networks of NBC.
During Friday’s ceremony, there was a moment on the Debilly Bridge over the Seine when the camera cut to French DJ and producer Barbara Butch, who describes herself as a “love activist.” Butch wore a blue dress with a silver headdress and as the camera panned out, she was flanked by drag queens on both sides.
Later, there appeared a nearly naked man painted in blue − a portrayal of Dionysus, the god of wine-making, vegetation, fertility and ecstasy − on a dinner plate surrounded by food. He then sang as the people around him danced, and it turned into a runway scene where models walked across.
Critics, including C Spire, said it mocked “The Last Supper.”
In a statement, C Spire said, “C Spire is supportive of our athletes who have worked so hard to be a part of the Olympics. However, we will not be a part of the offensive and unacceptable mockery of the Last Supper, which is why we’re pulling our advertising from the Olympics.”
When reached Sunday, Jim Richmond, C Spire’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Marketing Operations said the company would not be having any more comments on the issue.
Also on Sunday, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves reacted to C Spire’s choice to pull its advertising.
“I am proud to see the private sector in Mississippi step up and put their foot down,” Reeves said in a Tweet. “God will not be mocked. C Spire drew a common-sense, appropriate line.”
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Paris Olympic organizers apologized Sunday to those who were offended and said the blue person was intended to be Dionysus. Officials added that it was not intended to be a picture of the “Last Supper” but that “the idea was to have a pagan celebration connected to the gods of Olympus. You will never find in me a desire to mock and denigrate anyone.”
Several Christian and Catholic organizations around the world have denounced the moment since then. The French Bishops’ Conference, which represents the country’s Catholic bishops, said in a statement that the scene was a “mockery and derision of Christianity” and it was thinking of religious followers who were “hurt by the outrageousness and provocation of certain scenes.” Well-known Bishop Robert Barron in Minnesota said in a video that it mocked “a very central moment in Christianity.”
Jordan Mendoza of USA Today contributed to this story.
Ross Reily is the business and development writer for the Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at [email protected] or 601-573-2952. You can follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter @GreenOkra1.
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