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A rumor circulated on Facebook that Hobby Lobby pulled $50 million worth of ads from the 2024 Paris Olympics after the controversial opening ceremony. On July 30, 2024, the Facebook page America's Last Line of Defense claimed Hobby Lobby ended its 20-year partnership with the Olympics due to its "Anti-Christian Culture."
"Hobby Lobby Pulls $50 Million in Ads from the Olympics: 'We Can't Continue Supporting Anti-Christian Culture' We've been a worldwide partner for more than twenty years. It's sad it has to end like this," the text on the post read.
However, the fact-checking website Snopes.com debunked this post, adding that there was no evidence to prove that Hobby Lobby had pulled $50 million in ads from the Paris Olympics. The retail chain has not released any official statement mentioning its association with the Olympics nor has it spoken about cutting supposed ties with the sporting event.
America's Last Line of Defense, the Facebook account that made this claim, is known for posting satirical content not rooted in reality, which is mentioned in the page's info section.
"Nothing on this page is real."
The post is also affixed with a badge that says "satire" at the bottom left corner.
Hobby Lobby is not an official Olympic sponsor
There is no evidence to prove that Hobby Lobby has been an Olympic sponsor. The retail chain was not included in the official list of sponsors in the current Olympics or previous iterations.
The retail giant, started in August 1972 in Oklahoma by David and Barbara Green, grew to become one of the biggest arts and crafts chains in the US. According to its website, the company shares Christian values, with owner David Green saying:
"We believe it is by God's grace and provision that Hobby Lobby has endured. He had been faithful in the past, we trust Him for our future."
The company currently employs 46,000 people in over 1000 stores across 48 US states. The corporate headquarters and office complex are located in Oklahoma City.
The Olympic opening ceremony controversy explored
The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony faced immense backlash for what many perceived was a slight against Christianity. During the ceremony on July 26, one of the 12 tableaus in the ceremony featured a bevy of drag queens surrounding French DJ Barbara Butch behind a long table.
French singer Philippe Katerine, almost nude and covered in blue body paint, was displayed on a platter in the middle of the table. Many claimed the tableau had a striking resemblance to Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper.'
However, Thomas Jolly, the art director, claimed he drew inspiration from Greek mythology, with Katerine signifying Dionysus, the God of wine and festivity.
The opening ceremony, watched by over 24.43 million viewers in France, drew outrage worldwide and was condemned by many Christian organizations, including the French Bishops' Conference.
The artists reportedly faced several death threats and online abuse for their involvement in the act. Jolly filed a complaint regarding "death threats due to origin, death threats due to s*xual orientation, public insult due to origin, public insult due to s*xual orientation and defamation."
The 2024 Paris Olympics will end on August 11, 2024, with a closing ceremony at Stade de France.
