Olympics More Than Just A Sport

“Is the Olympic Games more than just a sporting event?”

In the 21st century, today we look at the Olympic Games as much more than just a sporting event, especially since time has moved on and we have so much understanding for the games. For the British Museum in London I’m going to prove that “The Olympic Games are more than just a sporting event”. In my exhibition I’m going to look at five main areas that could be seen as using the games to show some historic moments by using the Olympics as a platform for boycotts, racism and to raise awareness on certain issues that proves the Games were and still are more than just a sporting event.

Pierre de Coubertin (see to the right), founder of the Modern Olympic Games said “Racial distinctions should not play a role in sport.” As well as then going on to say “Sport is the habitual and voluntary cultivation of intensive physical effort.” This is how he wanted the Olympic to be, a place where understanding of other races were respected and all sport and medal achievers won because of their own effort and not with the help of anything else. As the years went on, and more Olympics took place the world saw what Pierre didn’t want to happen.

To show the Games were used and still are used to raise international significance I am going to look at four main areas, these being Racism, Terrorism, Cold War, as well as the recent Olympic Games, Beijing 2008. I have chosen these topics because each on represents something different and hopefully will prove that theses Olympic Games are more than just sport.

Racism

My first topic is on Race in the Olympics, and Racism has occurred more than once in the Games for many different reasons, one incident that happened to prove that the Games were more than just sport occurred in 1936 at the Berlin Olympics which was also known as “Nazi Olympics”. Berlin were awarded the Olympic Games years before Hitler came into power, 1930 to be precise. Three years before his rein. In these Olympics hosted by the infamous Adolf Hitler, many important stands of Olympic History took place here. Hitler and the Nazi’s were anti-Semitic, and from the Beginning from him coming to power he began persecuting and executing many Jews, by the end of it, approximately 6 million innocent lives were snuffed out.

The year the Olympics were due to start, Germany were hosting, and these Olympics were an opportunity to prove to the German people and the rest of the world what Hitler believed in, and his perfect race. Although, considerable attention were paid to the upsetting of visitors and the oncoming world that would soon be watching. For the period the Olympics were in Germany, Hitler’s anti-Semitism beliefs were all covered up, hidden and kept in the background. Throughout Germany there were many posters and signs saying “No Jews Allowed” and many racial stands against the Jews to show that they were hated and all these signs were ordered to be taken down in preparation for these particular games. However, to the world, Hitler’s anti-Semitism may not have been showed throughout Germany and surrounding areas, but it was certainly seen in the Olympic Games. For instance, Hitler got rid of all the Jewish Athletes in his German team, and replaced them with his “Aryan” Race, Blond hair, Blue eyes and tall. So obviously, with this statement, getting rid of the Jews already proves that it is more than just sport, basically Hitler has broken Olympic rules, forbidding discrimination based on race and religion though as the Games got close, the German games were near to be Boycotted.

Hitler may not have known but the world knew about this propaganda purposes on his “Aryan Race”, with all this, the USA along with other countries like the UK and France made a stand, they even said that they wouldn’t take part and Boycott if Hitler didn’t include Jewish people in his team, but this didn’t work well, as a result of all their effort, Hitler only allowed one Jew to take part in his Olympic team.

However, this wasn’t the only Race related incident that occurred, Hitler wanted to prove to the world that his Aryan Race was the master race, the superior race, and to prove this he wanted them to win him medals, he wanted gold in every event, but that obviously went wrong. Jesse Owens (see to the right), a black-American beat Hitler’s Aryan Race Superstar, Lutz Lang. Owens went on to winning four gold medals, and breaking many Olympic records, more than any of Hitler’s Aryan race athletes did. As a result of this, a commotion was caused, Hitler had been shown up completely, he refused to shake Owens hand and put his medal around his neck. It is said that Hitler stated “The Americans should be ashamed of themselves, letting Negros win their Medals for them. I shall not shake hands with a Negro... Do you really think that I will allow myself to be photographed with a Negro!?”

After all that happened, with Hitler trying to prove to the world his “Aryan Race” was the best race, and by not allowing Jews would prove otherwise, the Berlin Games dis-proved Hitler’s theory because of what happened. The 1936 Berlin Olympics was a way for Hitler’s to show how significant Nazi Germany was, and eventually proving that the Olympics were just more than a sport at these Games.

Terrorism

My next topic to prove my question is on Terrorism. Terrorism occurred in the 1972 Munich Olympics on September 5th and now what is known as the ‘Munich Massacre’.

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Terrorism

My next topic to prove my question is on Terrorism. Terrorism occurred in the 1972 Munich Olympics on September 5th and now what is known as the ‘Munich Massacre’.

For many years, even before the Summer Games began, the Palestinians and Israelis have had an on-going conflict since the 1930’s. When the Nazi’s and Hitler began to rule over Germany, many Jews were being killed and harmed in their hometowns. When the holocaust and many death camps were set up, many Jews were killed, and they did what they could, and fled Germany. Many fled to Palestine to keep safe. Here, not only did Hitler affect his Olympics, he could be one main reason why what happened on September 5th, happened. Although, after many years, Palestine was now the homeland for many Jews, even though at first Palestine was a Muslim Religion Country. Jews set up their Holy land in Palestine and after more and more Jews moved there, more disputes had broken out between the two national identities with the claim over the same land. As they continued to fight, the land was difficult to fight over, as of two major and important cities, theses being Bethlehem and Jerusalem which is the home of Muslims, Christians, Jews and Judaism. As so many Jews have flocked to Palestine we now know it as Israel, as it has been taken over my Israeli people, although some parts still belong to Palestine with many Palestine people living in these areas like the Gaza Strip. As the problems between these two countries and religions have got worse, since 1967 disputes have broken out such as the Six day war and even today, suicide bombings and conflicts.

At the 1972 Munich Massacre, Palestinians took matters global by staging a terrorist event in the eyes of the world, looking on the Olympics where all this took place. The Olympic Games were supposed to celebrate peace, and for the first 10 days of these games, everything went to plan, until the morning of September 5th. A group of 8 Arab Palestinians, part of Black September, (one shown in the picture to the right) a terrorist militant group, sneaked and broke into the Olympic Village and raided the apartment building that housed the Israeli Contingents. As they made their way into the Apartment, they instantly killed two members of the Israeli team, a wrestling coach and weight-lifter. They then took 9 Israeli Athletes hostages, right in front of the prying eye of the whole world. Black September, in the battle to set them free, they demanded the release of over 200 Palestinians serving time in Israeli Jails, as well as a safe gateway out of West Germany. Israel would not meet Black Septembers Arab Terrorists demands. In the end, all nine Israeli hostages were killed. Although, 5 of the 8 Terrorist were also killed and a German policeman. It is said, that one of the last remaining terrorist of this day Jamal Al-Gashey said "I'm proud of what I did at Munich because it helped the Palestinian cause enormously. Before Munich, the world had no idea about our struggle, but on that day, the name of Palestine was repeated all around the world."

After all that had happened, happening whilst the Olympic Games were taking place, they were suspended. A memorial service was held in the main stadium and the IOC ordered the Games to resume after a pause of 34 hours. What the world had just seen was not sport, but a murder, a massacre, revenge. What took place in the 1972 Munich Games, now known as the Munich Massacre, proves what happened here, was more than just sport, and these games were used in the act of Terrorism to get something done, to make a stand, a horrible one to get the release of the Palestinians. Even today, the problems between the two sides which affected the Games haven’t been resolved. If their conflict hadn’t been brought into the Olympics, who’s to say it would still be continuing today and even if the Munich Massacre made a difference between the two sides conflicting with each other. The only thing that changed for the Israeli and Palestinian conflict was nothing, it still carried on. All that the Olympics was the Security protecting Athletes wasn’t good enough, and had to be upgraded.

Cold War

The Cold War is my 3rd choice of topics, the Cold War started around about 1956; Hungary seemed to sum up what the Cold War stood for. Russia wasn’t the only country in the Eastern block to be ruled over Communism, but the Russians ruled over many Eastern countries too like Hungry. Hungry wanted to be its own independence, free from the Soviet Union rule country. In 1953, Joseph Stalin, former Russian leader died, and in 1956 Khrushchev became the communist leader. He was harsher towards the American ways and their demands to change than Stalin, as everyone had the impression that their new leader would be fairer, but he wasn’t. Because America was a capitalist country, and Russia and many Eastern block countries were Communist, both sides thought each other ruled over the country the wrong way, and both wanted to change so they could rule over their countries the same way. This meant his was more forceful on many Eastern Europe countries. He made the Hungarian leader Rakosi resign, and made Hungry have a bad year as of the bad harvest, fuel shortages and many other points.

In fact, because of this, in October of 1956 many Hungarian Citizens took the streets of Budapest, the capital and began to protest for their freedom, more food, the removal of Russian control and secret police. Poland, who were also under Communist Russia had already protested and been granted more rights, so Hungry followed likewise because they thought their new leader would be fairer, but obviously he wasn’t . Although, whilst Hungary was rebelling and the Hungarian Uprising had just begun, the 1956 Melbourne Games were just round the corner. Except by now, the Soviet Army had already killed 5,000, and nearly had half the population flee. By now, the Olympic had begun, and water polo, one of Hungary’s best sports was underway and they made it into the finals. At the Melbourne games, who were Hungary met in the finals of water polo? But their rivals Russia. Here, what the world was about to see would be one of the most violent, politically charged encounters in Water Polo match history.

As the Hungarian and Soviet Union players took to the water, and the game was underway, the game turned itself more than a match of sport, but a match of memorable, physical and political effort. ‘The Blood on the Water Match’, the name given by the world media looking on, in this match, the world saw Hungarian player, Ervin Zador (see picture to the right) emerge from the pool, just two minutes before the end of the game, with blood pouring from under his eye after being furiously punched by a Soviet Player for political reasons involving the difference of their two home countries. This event was more than just a sporting event, but a game that involved politics more than anything. If the Olympics were just about sport, then the Soviet Invasion of Hungary would not of affected this Water Polo match, which today goes down in Olympic History as The Blood of the Water match.

Beijing 2008

On 13th July 2001, the 112th IOC Session in Moscow were held, here The Olympic Games of 2008, were awarded to Beijing, (see picture of their logo right) to be the host city for the games of the XXIX Olympiad after close competition with other major cities like Paris, Istanbul and Toronto. The Beijing Olympic Bid for the 2008 Games was a successful win, coming out on top in every round. It was a winning vote to Toronto, Canada by 56-22.

The Olympic Games, are more than just sport in the Olympic Bid session, here, it is to show the world what you can do as a country and city for the Olympic Games. Each year, the winning candidate city, proving they can put on the best Olympic Games ever. Just to show they world, what they could do with the Olympics, Beijing promised the best Olympic Games the world had seen. By the opening of the games on August 8th, they certainly proved this; an estimated US $42 billion dollars had been spent on the games, making it the most expensive games ever in Olympic History. China didn’t have to spend this much on the Games, but they did so at their own risk, and to show the world their wealth and their Olympic Games. By spending this much amount on the games, it certainly proves that in Beijing, it was more than just sport, but the fact that they spent all this money to fund the Olympic Movement.

The Beijing Olympic Games began on August 8th and ended August 24 2008”. Here the games saw a record of 43 new world records, and 132 new Olympic records. won 51 gold medals altogether, the second largest haul by a national team in a modern, non-boycotted Summer Games. For China, this was their ultimate dream. And what better place to do this at? Then their own city, their own hosted games. Although, this may have been the highlight for China, China still had problems with protesters and “Free Tibet” campaigners on their Human Rights. In China, it was a big problem for these Olympic Games, in 2001, Beijing promised the IOC improvements with human rights, press freedoms, and environmental concerns. However, a spokesperson amongst the deciding committee of the IOC said “Beijing should not be elected until it has achieved a certain standard concerning human rights” although, in response to this it was said that “The election of Beijing as host city would promote the improvement of the political situation and the human rights not until it really happened”.

So why did they win this Olympic Bid? In my opinion, one reason they won was because, by the time of the voting, China’s plans were to agree and improve its Human Rights Act. Although, there is many more reasons, like their plans for the games and for the love of sport they have over there in China. When they were elected Beijing made several promises to the regarding improvements with , , and . However, it has been widely reported by western media sources that China has failed to live up to the promises it made in order to strengthen its chances of winning the bid for the game of 2008.

The stadium of the Beijing Olympics also known as “The Birds Nest Stadium” was built with outstanding and architecture excellence. The design of the National Olympic Stadium is very unique, designed with the help of Swiss Architects; the Stadium has the capacity of 91,000 seats in Olympic mode, and then 80,000 after, for other uses. A huge approximately, US $500 million were spent on this Olympic Stadium, with 45,000 tonnes of steel being used for making, this making it the worlds largest steel structure and stadium (see above and picture below). The National Stadium will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympics. As well as the grand and modern stadium being used to host Athletics and Football events during the Olympics. After the Olympics, it will be very useful to the people of China, the Stadium staging both national and international sporting events, as well as cultural and entertainment activities. Here, it is most likely to be used, as of the amount of people living in China and the capital. Whereas, when the London 2012 Olympic arrive, the Stadium after has no guarantee of being used because of the difference in numbers living there, and actually having the time to use it, as London is classed as being one of the busiest cities of the world. Again, here it shows that the Olympics are more than just sport, because of many people knowing that Beijing Olympics are the best and will be remembered forever.

“Non-boycotted Summer Games”, was said earlier, and true to the fact, the Beijing Olympics did not get boycotted, or there were no signs of any country on planning to, although, one part of the journey to Beijing 2008 Olympics was the Torch Relay. The Torch relay, began on March 24th, it was intended that the Torch relay theme was "Journey of Harmony" with the slogan “Light the Passion, Share the Dream”. Although, as the Torch was passed around the world till the opening of the games on August 8th, it was true that the theme hadn’t of been achieved for many reasons.

The torch travelled over 6 continents, starting in Greece, at Olympia. Throughout April, it travelled through some of the largest cities of the world, where some stands and protests were made over the human rights acts that China still hadn’t improved. As the Olympic Torch was being carried throughout these cities, in London, France and San Francisco, there were many Pro-Tibet campaigners, trying to stop the Olympic Flame. Many protesters with signs and flags showing they were against the torch being passed through these countries as well as Tibet. In London, (see picture above) the world saw many protesters go after the torch with many being wrestled to the floor and arrested by many police. In France and San Francisco the world saw similar happening, once the Torch passed through Tibet, surely, here protestors and Pro-Tibet campaigners would do a lot more. A British newspaper, The Times printed reports on this event with a reporter stating “The torch has been attracting ever more forceful protests since was lit in Olympia, Greece, last week. More than 35 people were arrested in London on Sunday and the torch had to be re-routed on several occasions as police battled to keep pro-Tibet protesters away from the flame” What happened in France, the British reports Jenny Booth, Jane McCartney in Beijing and Chris Ayres in Los Angeles for “The Times” stated “In Paris yesterday the flame had to be put out four times and the torch taken into protective custody aboard a bus because of the strength of the protests. The Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral were draped in protest banners (see picture above) showing the Olympic rings as handcuffs, and Bertrand Delanoë, the Mayor of Paris, cancelled a welcoming ceremony for the Olympic torch”. And then going on to say about San-Francisco “Authorities fear that San Francisco, one of America’s most liberal cities — where some of the largest Iraq war demonstrations have been held — could see protests even more violent than London and Paris”

Many debates through the IOC were discussed The International Olympic Committee may scrap the international leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay as a result of the protests over China’s military crackdown in Tibet. A British paper, the Times stated eventually stated “The IOC have allowed China to take the torch through Tibet”. Although these stages of the Torch relay were shown through News television channels and Newspapers, making the world known, Website were also set up in protest, making a worldwide view of this.

To get people around the world take what was happening more serious, the website changed Beijing’s Olympic Games slogan to “Lose the Propaganda, Share the Truth”. What was all this for? For the Human rights act of China, and protests and Olympic Torch boycotts were made because of this. China’s government at the moment stands as not letting China have their own say. stated on their website “One World, One Dream” is China's Olympic slogan. But the reality of China's occupation of Tibet is a nightmare. Right now thousands of Tibetans are being arbitrarily detained, beaten and killed for speaking out for freedom. At a time when Tibetans are living under a climate of fear and being detained, beaten and killed for peaceful protests, parading the torch through Tibet will only provoke tensions and lead to further suffering.”

Throughout the history of the Modern Olympics, the Olympics is certainly much more than just sport, it happened in the past, making significant plots in history, and today, this year’s Olympics, part of it showed it was more than just sport, Beijing 2008 showed many protest against the China Government, and wanted them to change many ways, and because of their ways not to change, Boycotts were planned on their torch relay to show them and the world, that these Free Tibet campaigners did not find it acceptable, and the only way to show this, and to show the world how bad it had got, the Olympic Torch Relay was taken over by protestors making a political statement to the whole world. This is why the Beijing Olympic Games were more than just sport, but it was used to show how China could put on the best Olympics in history and to show the world that they were wrong to get these games because of their Human Rights.

Bibliography

Sources, Facts and quotes have been used school lessons, as well as from various websites and books. Below, here is a list of websites and books used;