The Olympics

• IOC - international olympic committee
• BOA - british olympic association
• IOC principles: building a peaceful/better world by educating youth through sport without discrimination - spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play
• BOA principles: link sport with culture and education, bring people together from around the world in the spirit of fair play and friendship
• Olympic creed principles: the most important thing is not to win but to take part and fight well
• in 1890 De Coubertin visited Brookes’ much wenlock games and public schools
• Sims of the Olympics:

  • to give sport a high profile and ensure they are continued
  • enable sports to fulfil their educational role - values/morals ect
  • celebration of individual athlete’s skill and physical abilities - necessary to continue their spirit of competition
• Philosophy/Olympism promotes:

  • balance between body, mind and will
  • the joy of effort
  • role models to educate and inspire
  • tolerance, generosity, unity, friendship, non-discrimination and respect for others
• Amateurism: originally had to “gentlemen“ by birth (middle or upper class). taking part was more important then winning, gentlemen were good all rounders
• Originally practicing/training was considered as bad as cheating - meant you valued winning more than taking part. professionals were thought to have an unfair advantage
• The Oath was taken by one athlete and one judge from the host nation at the opening ceremony holding a corner of the olympic flag
• Olympic games has a summer and winter event and Paralympics
• The Berlin Olympics was in 1936
• The Mexico City Olympics was in 1968
• Mexico City Olympics:

  • Human rights protest against racism in the USA
  • Tommie Smith and John Carlos did the “Black power” salute on the podium
  • Australian silver medalist wore human rights badge
• Munich Olympics was in 1972
• Munich Olympics:

  • Israelis held hostage
  • Demand for release of 200 failed palestinians
  • Hostages, terrorists and German police officer killed
  • Aim was to generate media coverage
• Moscow Olympics was in 1980
• Moscow Olympics:

  • Protest against 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
  • Boycott lead by the USA
  • approx 6000 of the expected 10000 athletes competed
• Los Angeles Olympics was in 1984
• Los Angeles Olympics:

  • Retaliation boycott lead by the Soviet Union
  • Fear over lack of security was reason given
  • Seb Coe won silver in 800m and gold in 1500m
  • only one city bid to host the games