The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has implemented a controversial ban on Christian symbols on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, despite the opening ceremony featuring a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
In July, Brazilian surfer João Chianca was compelled by the IOC to remove a picture of Christ the Redeemer from his surfboard.
“The painting is just not authorised within the Olympic Games because Christ is a spiritual figure,” the athlete posted on his social media feed, though the post was removed shortly afterwards. “The Games have strict rules and give attention to total neutrality.”
This decision has led to accusations of double standards from members of the Christian community, who feel unfairly discriminated against.
Many have expressed frustration over the perceived mockery of The Last Supper in the course of the opening ceremony, contrasted with the strict enforcement of rules against Christian imagery. For these athletes, such symbols are a source of inspiration and encouragement of their contests, making the ban seem particularly harsh and inconsistent.
“No variety of political, religious, or racial demonstration or propaganda is permitted in any Olympic venue,” states Article 50 of the Olympic Charter, which is strictly enforced.
Although Chianca’s post was swiftly deleted, it provoked a robust backlash from his followers, lots of whom felt that his faith must have been respected.
In the identical week, a determined but silent protest from one other Brazilian Christian athlete garnered significant media coverage.
Brazilian skateboarder Rayssa Leal expressed her faith in a creative manner. Before winning bronze in the ladies’s street skateboarding event, Leal used sign language to cite a famous Bible verse. She had develop into the youngest Olympic medallist at age 13 in the course of the 2021 Tokyo Games and secured one other bronze this yr.
Shortly before her performance in France, Leal signed a verse from the Gospel of Saint John: “Jesus is the way in which, the reality, and the life.” Her sign language was initially puzzling to viewers until it was translated on social media, resulting in widespread attention.
“When I used to be very young, I dreamed of becoming an athlete skateboarder,” Leal told reporters after winning bronze. “And here I’m, with a second Olympic medal from the Games. Once again, thank God I won a medal. I’m very completely happy to be here.”
The majority of Brazilians discover as Christian, with Roman Catholicism being the biggest denomination. Recent surveys suggest roughly 50-60% of Brazilians discover as Catholic. However, there may be also a big Protestant population, including young Evangelicals, which has been growing lately.
