The Politics Behind Olympics Games

Among the Greeks, fitness competitions and games were nationalistic in spirit; states were said to have been prouder of Olympic victories than of battles won. Women, foreigners, slaves, and dishonored persons were forbidden to compete. Contestants were required to train faithfully for 10 months before the games and had to take an oath that they had fulfilled the training requirements before participating. At first, the Olympic Games were confined to running, but over time new events were added. The winners of the Olympics were crowned with chaplets of wild olive, and in their home city-states male champions were also awarded valuable gifts and privileges.

As a visible focus of world energies, the Olympic Games have been prey to many factors that have thwarted their ideals of world co-operation and athletic excellence. Like in ancient Greece, nationalistic fervour has fostered intense rivalries that have at times threatened the survival of the games. Although officially only individuals are able to win Olympic medals, nations routinely assign political significance to the feats of their citizens and teams. For example, between 1952 and 1988 rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, rooted in mutual political antagonism, resulted in each boycotting games hosted by the other (Moscow, 1980; Los Angeles, 1984).

Politics has influenced the Olympic Games in other ways, from the propaganda of the Nazis in Berlin (1936) to pressures leading to the exclusion of white-ruled Rhodesia from the Munich games (1972). At Munich, nine Israeli athletes were kidnapped and murdered by Palestinian terrorists.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which sets and enforces Olympic policy, has struggled with the licensing and commercialisation of the games, the need to schedule events to accommodate television networks, and the monitoring of athletes who seek illegal competitive advantage, often through the use of performance-enhancing drugs. In 1998 a scandal erupted with revelations that bribery and favouritism had played a role in the awarding of the 2002 Winter Games to Salt Lake City, Utah, and in the selection of some earlier venues.

But, regardless of the Olympic Games tensions, it is historically proven that sports have acted as a liaison between nations and have greatly contributed to their evolution. Beginning with the sociological, psychological and physiological aspects of the human nature, sports have gained the praise of people worldwide, as they have contributed to their well being. Group-oriented, since in order to be a winner one has to compete, sport brings people closer together and generates team-spirit along with mind and physical awareness. But, whether or not the contemporary Olympic Games act as an opportunity for nations to learn from one another and cooperate or are just another opportunity for people to engage in competitive and hostile rivalries, only historians of the future will be able to judge with some certainty.

About the Author:

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Fitness, Relationships, and Fitness

 Jonathon Hardcastle

More Articles 

The Politics Of Massage: Alternative or Mainstream Treatment? - J Terrence McDermott
I tend to view massage therapy independently of broader categories of therapy, healing or other restorative practices or systems. I am inclined to do this because I am cautious about allowing massage to be classified as a traditional...

Surviving Corporate Politics Part 2: Keeping Up Appearances - Gary Whittaker
Never a 2nd chance to make a 1st impression, or so the saying goes. We all know that when someone is introduced into your work environment for the first time, their peers size them up immediately. How they are dressed, how they talk, and how...

Want to break into politics like Kinky Friedman? Get a website. - Daniel Punch
Thinking of running for politics? Check out Kinky Friedman’s new website and you might just get a few ideas of how to construct your online approach to make it a winning one. You never know, by simply having good campaign goals, a communicative...

The Nice People's Guide to Business Politics - Lisa Lake
I re-entered the workforce after years of being a stay at home mom. I knew that I was good at what I did, but when I first started back in business it seemed that nothing I did was good enough. I felt I was lost at sea. It seemed that people were...

Irish History , Irish Politics ... - Sharon O Suillibhan
Irish history , Irish politics : from today and yesterday - all 32 Counties ! After 830 years of conflict , the Irish quest for a trouble-free island continues . We have endured countless 'treaties' and 'agreements' , all of which have , to date ,...

Will 2006 Be A Turning Point In American Politics? - Bill Watson
A look at the 2006 mid-term elections and their possible effect on American politics. The 2006 Congressional mid-term elections are just around the corner. In many ways this election is a pivotal point for both the Democrat and Republican parties....

When Politics Prevent Innovation - John Savageau
When Politics Prevent Innovation Or… Still Fighting Battles and Losing Wars The objective is to beat the competition and make money. Everything a business organization does should be focused on that simple objective, with interpretation through...

Local Government and Politics - Meetings are the Challenge - Al Arnold
Copyright 2006 Al Arnold There are a couple of problems that exist, which hinder local government from being the best it can be. One problem that prevents some citizens from attending local government meetings, is the fear of the local...

Local Government Politics - How To Be Effective? - Al Arnold
So, you have an issue with your local government. How can you most effectively convey your message? Without being able to effectively convey your message not just to the governing body, but your fellow citizens, your job of swaying public...

Politics and the Internet - Bernice Ly
According to a recent poll conducted by ComputerWorld, about forty percent of the population believes that people can increase their political power by going online. Hence, many academics believe that people in western societies are...

Policy Separated from Politics - Robert Bruce Baird
Policy Separated from Politics: I am related to Hamiltons who came to Canada as United Empire Loyalists but I cannot say for sure they were related to this man who clearly was also a monarchist. William Hamilton Stewart is one of the Stuart...

The Fairness of Office Politics ... Integrity and Political Motivation! - Edward B Toupin
I hear many complaints daily about the "unfairness" of politics in corporate America. Employees say that their managers "lie" or issue "personal attacks" against them. Indeed, based on the pure ideals that we are taught as a child, this might...