Joco Today

Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., along with Senator James Lankford (R-OK), has addressed a letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach concerning the depiction of the Last Supper during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The letter was also signed by Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), Jim Risch (R-ID), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Barrasso (R-WY), Katie Britt (R-AL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Todd Young (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Tim Scott (R-SC).

"We write in response to the vulgar mockery of the Christian faith on display at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The Games should unite people of every country, race, and creed. There is no place for anti-Christian bigotry at an event designed to bring the world together. The Games should celebrate the athletes, not denigrate anyone’s faith. We urge you to take immediate action by amending Rule 55 of the Olympic Charter to ensure that no faiths are the subject of mockery as part of the opening or closing ceremonies ever again," stated the Members.

The letter further emphasized, "The International Olympic Committee (IOC) should formally condemn the mockery that occurred in Paris of one of the most sacred moments of the Christian faith. Then, the IOC should make formal changes to ensure this kind of divisive display is not repeated to ensure that Coubertin’s vision for the Games may continue to thrive. Every person, from every nation and every faith, should be encouraged to enjoy the Olympics without being belittled or mocked."

In their correspondence, they highlighted global Christian demographics: "There are more than 2.5 billion Christians globally. Africa is the region with the highest population of Christians with more than 700 million believers, followed by Latin America, and then Europe. 157 countries in our world are majority Christian nations."

The senators referenced Pierre de Coubertin's vision for unity through sports: "The father of modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin, once said: 'May joy and good fellowship reign, and in this manner may the Olympic Torch pursue its way through ages, increasing friendly understanding among nations for humanity always more enthusiastic, more courageous and more pure.'"

They concluded by urging action from President Bach: "Every person from every nation and every faith should be encouraged to enjoy the Olympics without being belittled or mocked."