The Olympic Games

The Olympic Games

1. De Coubertin

   • The Vision
     • Wanted to reinvent the ancient olympics in Athens
       • Inspired by Much Wenlock games in 1890
   • The Olympic Charter
     • IOC - Principles of the OG
       • Building a peaceful & better world
       • Educating youth through sport
         • Practised without discrimination
         • Practised in the Olympic Spirit
       • Mutual understanding
         • Spirit of friendship, solidarity & fair play
     • BOA - In addition to IOC
       • Link sport with culture & education
       • Promote the joy found in effort
   • Background
     • 1600's Robert Dover founded Cotswold Games

2. Governing Bodies

   • BOA (British Olympic Association
     • National Olympic Committee for Britain
       • Part of the IOC
       • Functions
   • IOC (International Olympic Committee
     • Functions
     • Founded June 23, 1894

3. Commercialism

   • Amatuerism
     • British athletes struggle
       • Commit time & effort
         • Although no financial gain
   • Commercialisation
     • IOC accepted commercialsim
       • Attracted sponsors
   • 'TOP' Programme
     • The Olympic Partner Programme
       • Managed by the IOC
     • Invited sponsors invest
       • In return, companies can use Olympic logos on products
         • Worldwide marketing opportunities
       • First choice of advertising slots on TV

4. The Modern Olympic Movement

   • Aims
     • 'Ennoble & Strengthen sports'
     • 'Ensure sports is independent & durable'
     • 'To fulfil educational role'
     • 'Glorification of the individual athlete
   • Background
     • De Coubertin adopted ethics & values of 19th century public schools
       • Modern games strictly for amateurs
         • Took part for love of their sport
   • Amatuerism
     • Had to be 'gentleman' by birth
       • Exclusively middle & upper classes
         • Lower class could not afford to participate
     • Not paid to take part
   • 'Fair Play'
     • Practise & Training considered as bad as cheating
     • Professionals unfair advantage over hobby participants
   • The Oath
     • Taken by 1 athlete & 1 coach
     • Only host nation
     • During opening ceremony
   • Summer & Winter Format
     • GB, Australia, France, Greece, Switzerland
     • London hosted in 1908 & 1948

5. Nation Building

   • Showcasing
     • Vehicle for gaining publicity
       • Improving a country's image and national pride
         • 'shop window' effect
   • China
     • One-party Communist state
       • Sport controlled, funded & encouraged by the government
         • Some say China wanted to highlight economic rise, and emergence as a world power
   • Human Rights
     • Some argued, sending teams to Beijing endorsed China's poor record on Human Rights
   • Politics
     • Universally accepted sport & politics are linked
       • Sport used for internal & external political motives
         • Functional & Dysfunctional outcomes

6. London 2012

   • Benefits to Sport
     • More money invested in sport at every level
       • Ensure success
       • Funds for UK Sport
         • World class facilities
         • Sporting venues
     • Higher profile for sprt
       • Inspire young people
   • Benefits to Britain
     • Increase participation in sport and physical recreation
       • Increase physical/mental wellbeing
     • Promote healthy lifestyle
     • Media coverage
       • Generate interest
   • Commitments
     • Improved transport and communications
       • Efficiency required
   • Impacts & Implications
     • Tourism boost the economy
     • General attitudes towards disability improved
   • Benefits to Local Area
     • Employment opportunities
     • Site in deprived area of London renewed
       • 3,500 residential housing units
     • Reduced crime
   • Drawbacks
     • Soaring costs & Legacy of debt
     • Lack of long-term opportunities
     • Focus on elitism rather than participation
     • Emphasis on Nationalism
       • Potential discrimination