Major sponsor pulls out of the Olympics over 'mockery of the Last Supper' during opening ceremony

A U. S. firm has withdrawn its ad campaign from the Paris Olympics , following a contentious segment at Friday's opening event .

The dispute erupted on Debilly Bridge during a vibrant catwalk sequence led by DJ Barbara Butch adorned with a halo-like headdress , alongside an ensemble of drag artists and dancers, which enlivened attendees.

The performance faced backlash from some Christian circles who took umbrage at what they perceived as a parody of The Last Supper Jesus' revelation of his future betrayal - despite no confirmation of such intentions by the ceremony's organizers. This interpretation stirred up considerable discontent in certain quarters, eliciting strong rebuke from conservative personalities such as Marion Marechal.

• Olympics fans left stunned by swimmer's choice of trunks - 'is this legal?'
• Celine Dion sparks concern as Olympics viewers all share same question

In response, telecom powerhouse C Spire announced in dismay: "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."

Artistic director Thomas Jolly responded to the controversy by stating that the presentation was meant to convey love and inclusiveness, reflecting Frances foundational principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity and not cause any offense, comparing it to a celebration fit for the gods.

"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."

• Lady Gaga's Paris Olympics 2024 performance divides crowds as viewers complain about one aspect
• Shane Lowry leads Olympic 2024 Opening Ceremony in Paris with Sarah Lavin

The director of the entertainment spectacle at the Olympic Games in Paris has defended the extravaganza amid criticism, stating: "My wish isn't to be subversive, nor to mock or to shock. Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love, a message of inclusion and not at all to divide. The idea was to do a big pagan party linked to the gods of Olympus."

He continued, making his intentions clear: "You'll never find in my work any desire to mock or denigrate anyone. I wanted a ceremony that brings people together, that reconciles, but also a ceremony that affirms our Republican values of liberty, equality and fraternity."

• Team Ireland celebrate in ecstatic video as they join the Olympic Games Paris 2024

Likewise, the committee responsible for organising the contentious event echoed the sentiment of inclusion and apology. A spokesperson asserted: "Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think we really did try to celebrate community tolerance. Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense we are, of course, really, really sorry."

The controversy drew a response from the International Olympic Committee as well, who have accepted the clarifications and apologies issued by the Paris 2024 committee. They noted: "The IOC has taken note of and welcomes the clarification given by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee concerning the opening ceremony."

"In the daily press briefing, the Organising Committee said there was never any intention to show disrespect towards any religious group or belief. They reiterated that their intention with the Opening Ceremony was always to celebrate community and tolerance. The Organising Committee also said that if anyone was offended by certain scenes, this was completely unintentional and they were sorry."