global sporting events

• the original Olympic games were held in ancient Olympia Greece
• The modern Olympics began in Athens, Greece in 1896
• 5 key Olympics that were politicalised

  1. Berlin 1936
  2. Mexico city 1968
  3. Munich 1972
  4. Moscow 1980
  5. LA 1984
• Berlin 1936

  • Hitler aimed to use it as Nazi propaganda
  • Jesse Owens (a black sprinter) won 4 golds and broke 11 records
  • Hitler refused to put the gold medal around his neck
• Mexico City 1968

  • countries threatened to boycott this Olympics if South Africa were allowed to participate (apartheid)
  • two Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave black power salute on the podium
  • after the Olympics there medals were stripped off them
• Munich 1972

  • before start 8 Palestinians seized 11 members of the Israeli team
  • requested 234 Palestinians to be released in return
  • German authorities failed to reclaim any Israelis but killed 5 terrorists and injured another 3
  • IOC carried on with the Olympics
• Moscow 1980

  • Soviet Union invades Afghanistan
  • Thatcher says UK should boycott
  • Jimmy Carter (US president) also said boycott
  • 4000 out of 10000 athletes boycotted
• LA 1984

  • LA was the only bid as Montreal in 1976 was a financial failure
  • Soviet Union and eastern bloc boycotted due to the games being 'commercialised'
• pros of sport and politics being linked

  1. build bridges between nations
  2. economic boosts
  3. can bring a country together
  4. can initiate positive change
• cons of sport and politics being linked

  1. disregards Olympic values
  2. negative political agendas
  3. dangerous
  4. creates conflict
• modern Olympic games were established in 1896 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin
• the Baron was influenced by the ancient Olympics, the dover games and the development of moral, physical and intellectual abilities
• aims of modern Olympics

  • promote development of physical and moral skills
  • create international goodwill
  • bring together athletes from all across the world
  • educate through sport
• positives sporting impacts of hosting a GSE

  1. host nation often excel
  2. increase spectatorship and participation
  3. increase in funding for facilities
  4. guaranteed inclusion
• negative sporting impacts of hosting a GSE

  1. new facilities after GBE may become idle
  2. not always lasting participation impacts
  3. lesser known sports can be impacted
  4. deviance highligted
• positive social impacts of GSE

  1. money used to support local population
  2. improved sports facilities for local community
  3. transport developed
  4. more jobs and housing
• negatives social impacts of GSE

  1. other areas of country dont get improved
  2. local inhabitants may have to vacate land
• positive economic impact of GSE

  1. extra tourism
  2. more jobs
  3. increased income for local businesses
• negative economic impacts of GSE

  1. bidding can be expensive
  2. cost more than it raises (Montreal)
  3. employment is temporary
• positive political impacts of GSE

  1. political leaders gain credit
  2. brings unity to country
  3. 'shop window' for countries culture
• negative political impacts of GSE

  1. if cost is high it looks bad on political party
  2. something goes wrong it will reflect badly
  3. protests can be embarrassing
  4. negative environmental impacts may look bad on government
• The Olympics have 3 core values

  1. Encourage effort so athletes strive for excellence
  2. Preserve human dignity through respect
  3. Develop harmony with equality and friendship