Are the Olympic Games becoming a stage for demonstrations of power?

The Olympic Games have a long tradition that dates back to ancient Greece. The first documented games took place in Olympia in 776 BC in honor of the god Zeus. These games served both as a sporting activity and to promote peace between the Greek city-states.

Alienation of the Olympic Games from their true ideals?

After the Roman Wars and the decline of ancient Greek culture, the games disappeared and were only revived at the end of the 19th century. In 1896, Pierre de Coubertin founded the first modern Olympic Games in Athens to promote the values ​​of physical fitness, fair play and international understanding. But let's ask ourselves honestly: what is left of that?

Between global exchange and political boycott: do the Olympic Games need to be rethought?

In today's interconnected and globalized world, the provocative question quickly arises as to whether the Olympic Games have lost their original meaning and are now merely a stage for nationalist self-expression. A striking example of this exaggerated nationalism was the opening ceremony of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, which Adolf Hitler used as a propaganda event to demonstrate the superiority of the Aryan race.

A prominent example (albeit a positive one) is the “Black Power” salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Mexico City Games, which sparked global debates about racism and the role of sport as a political platform.

More modern examples included political tensions such as the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games by the United States and other Western nations due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Games by socialist states.

The awarding of the Olympic Games to certain countries and cities often entails significant human rights violations. A striking example of this is the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, where numerous forced relocations and the suppression of freedom of expression were criticized. In Rio de Janeiro in 2016, many people were also evicted from their homes to make room for the sports venues and infrastructure projects.

The environmental impact of the Olympic Games is an increasingly pressing issue. Whether it is the destruction of natural habitats for the construction of sports venues or the massive CO₂ emissions from travel and construction projects, the ecological cost of the Games is high. The 2014 Winter Games in Sochi were criticized for causing significant environmental damage in the region.

Are the Olympic Games just an expensive spectacle?

Organising and running the Olympic Games requires a significant financial and logistical effort. The overall effort and costs are enormous and increase with each event. For example, the 2008 Beijing Olympics cost an estimated $44 billion, while the 2012 London Games cost around $15 billion. Many host cities and countries are burdened by these financial burdens and some of the Games have seen little or even negative economic benefits.

So what speaks in favor of the Olympic Games?

On the other hand, the Olympic Games make a positive contribution to the international community. They offer a rare opportunity for a world that is often politically divided to come together and compete in sports in a neutral and peaceful environment. Cultural exchange and global broadcasting help to promote understanding and tolerance.

The anticipation of the athletes and the enthusiasm of the spectators are clear signs that the event continues to play an important role. An example of the positive influence can be seen in the rapprochement between North and South Korea at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, when the two countries fielded a joint team for the first time.

Ultimately, it can be said that despite the challenges and criticism, the Olympic Games have not lost their importance in the modern world. rather, they have gained relevance due to the increasingly complex geopolitical situation. They remain a unique platform for sporting competition, cultural exchange and the promotion of global understanding, which is invaluable, especially in the current times.

In times of growing tensions between different countries and regions, international events such as these have taken on even greater importance. They enable global understanding and positive relationships to be promoted through peaceful competition between athletes and cultural exchange between nations. Especially at a time when the world is more closely connected than ever before, such platforms are invaluable in promoting peace and international understanding.

And if there are some nations that measure their existence and self-image so much by sporting success: let them, they already have enough problems, otherwise they wouldn't need it.