History has proven that the use and abuse of athletes for political purposes only hurts young athletes rather than achieving any political gain.

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‘History has proven that the use and abuse of athletes for political purposes only hurts young athletes rather than achieving any political gain. Sports Organisations and events should not be involved in disputes between governments’

Commercialisation of sport has meant that games are broadcasted the world over and premiere athletes gain ‘god like’ status, this to has occurred in the Olympic movement within the last 20 years. The modern Olympic games has become a “shop window” or a stage for countries to exhibit there elite. With victory these athletes acquire, there status as ambassadors to there countries regimes increase. The governments also like to demonstrate there ideals to the world with the use of propaganda such as Olympia.

This was a film produced by legendary German director Leni Riefenstahl. It was a motion picture which depicted sporting brilliance of athletes during the Berlin games. It also portrays a compassionate and positive image of Germany instead of a more deliberate indoctrination of National Socialism principles to the audience. It may also be the key to why the German Government supported this picture. There underlining purpose in supporting "Olympia" was to promote the positive principles (as perceived by the Nazis) of National Socialism to the world.

Germany is an example of politics entering the Olympic stadium. National Socialism was the approach which drove the Nazi government. The communist state began segregating between athletes, when it removed any Jewish participants wishing to assist there nation in the Olympics from competing in an East German uniform. This was a direct violation of the Olympic charter; ‘oppose any political abuse of sport and athletes’. The purpose of the ban was to show the Nazi’s belief in the idealistic superior (people with blonde hair and blue eyes) and the inferior others could not compete against this finer class. However Hitler failed in his attempt to use the Games to prove his theory of racial superiority. Jesse Owens an American black athlete, who won four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, long jump (where he beat a blonde blue eyed German) and the 4 x 100m relay.

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In addition these were only some of the victims of the communist governing. These states wanted to prove that communism was greater and to achieve this in sporting context they aimed for optimum glory. Communist governments funded thousands of sporting activities from youth to promote an environment in which the best athletes were reared. However instead of promoting sprints (running) they opted for gold in categories which the U.S.A had little or no interest in. Whilst the USA went for gold in the athletics aspect of the Olympics, the East Germans athletes concentrated on gymnastics and swimming etc. Initially ...

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