Bacchus MindEconomy Chronicle

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well.”
– Pierre de Coubertin (1894)

As I sit on the couch, popcorn in hand, critiquing the flawless flips and gravity-defying feats of the gymnasts on my screen, it’s hard not to be swept up in the spectacle of the Olympic Games. This quadrennial event, which transforms everyday spectators into impassioned commentators, is more than just a showcase of athletic prowess. It’s a rich tapestry woven from centuries of history, cultural exchange, and the pursuit of excellence. From its ancient origins in Olympia to the grand, globally televised extravaganza it is today, the Olympics have captivated audiences and athletes alike, revealing stories of triumph, controversy, and the relentless human spirit.

Hosted this year in Paris, the 2024 Summer Olympics has returned to the French capital after 100 years- an auspicious timeline in its own right. The Olympic Games, whilst undoubtedly, a symbol of global unity and athletic excellence, feature a complex, rich history that spans millennia. While the modern Olympics are widely celebrated, numerous lesser-known aspects of its past that reveal a complex tapestry of cultural, political, and social dynamics.

The origins of the Olympic Games date back to 776 BC in ancient Greece, in the sanctuary of Olympia. These early Games were deeply intertwined with religious practices and were held in honour of Zeus, the omnipotent king of the Greek gods. The rituals included sacrifices and various religious ceremonies, emphasising the sacred nature of the event. Participation was initially restricted to freeborn Greek men, who competed in the nude as a tribute to the gods and a display of physical prowess. Women were excluded participation and attendance, although they had their own separate festival, the Heraean Games, dedicated to Hera, the wife of Zeus and queen of the gods.

The ancient Olympics featured a range of events, including running, wrestling, boxing, pankration (a no-holds-barred, brutal blend of boxing and wrestling), chariot racing, and the pentathlon. These competitions were often ruthless in nature, with few rules to protect the participants. Nonetheless, evident cheating was met with severe punishments, including fines, public humiliation, and, in some cases, physical punishment. Despite the harshness, the Games were immensely popular and drew participants and spectators from various Greek city-states. The ancient Olympic Games faded out due to a combination of cultural and religious shifts, particularly with the rise of the Roman Empire and the spread of Christianity. As Rome absorbed Greek culture, the significance of the Olympics declined, overshadowed by Roman entertainment like gladiatorial games. The final blow came in 393 CE, when Emperor Theodosius the First (a Christian) banned all pagan practices, including the Olympics, as part of a broader effort to promote Christianity. Moreover, the economic and political decline of the Roman Empire further eroded the infrastructure and support needed to sustain the Games, leading to their eventual demise after nearly 12 centuries.

The modern Olympic Games were famously revived in 1896 by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who in turn, was inspired by the ideals of the ancient Greeks and sought to promote international peace and understanding through sport. Born as French aristocrat into a strict Catholic Jesuit family, Baron de Coubertin was raised during the French Third Republic, a time when the role of the aristocracy was, to put it mildly, uncertain. A such, he was a man searching for meaning in his life. As he explored the emerging sports cultures in North America and Britain, he discovered the transformative power of sport on nations and humanity. What resonated most with him was the concept of the “gentleman sporting amateur aristocrat.” Inspired by this, he envisioned reinventing the ancient Olympic Games in a modern form. His goal was to create a showcase of “manly virtue” (unfortunately, the actual phrase he used) where the moral, athletic, and physical brilliance of amateur sporting gentlemen would not only fuel the esprit de corps (i.e. the spirit of the group) needed to lead their empires but also serve as an inspiring example to the rest of society. However, the revival faced significant challenges, including financial difficulties and a lack of initial interest. The early Games were relatively modest affairs, with fewer events and participants than today’s grand spectacles.

Throughout its history, the Olympics have been used as a platform for political statements and propaganda. The 1936 Berlin Olympics quite literally springs to mind (pun intended) as a prime example of such. Hosted by Nazi Germany, the games were infamously used by Adolf Hitler to promote his ideology of Aryan supremacy. The Games were carefully orchestrated to showcase Germany’s power and efficiency, although this narrative was famously disrupted by African American athlete Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals. His victories were a powerful repudiation of Adolf Hitler’s racist ideology. Owens’ success on the global stage not only embarrassed the Nazi regime but also highlighted the absurdity of the concept of racial superiority, making him an enduring symbol of equality and athletic excellence. Adding further insult to injury for Hitler, in what has formed one of the most enduring Olympic stories, German athlete Luz Long publicly embraced Owens by means of congratulations, further defying Nazi racial ideology. Their sportsmanship and resultant friendship became a lasting symbol of unity and the true Olympic spirit.

The Cold War era saw further politicisation of the Olympics, with the United States and its allies boycotting the 1980 Moscow Games in protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, with the Soviet bloc retaliating with thier own boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Games. This period of heightened tension followed the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Olympics, where the Games had already been marred by violence. On 5 September, a Palestinian terrorist group known as Black September took 11 Israeli athletes’ hostage in the Olympic village, demanding the release of their respective political prisoners. A failed rescue attempt on the part of the West German authorities led to the deaths of all the hostages, five terrorists, and one German police officer, shocking the world and underscoring the vulnerability of international events to political violence.

Aside from clashing political ideologies and socio-political-driven violence, scandals and corruption have also marred the Olympic movement over the years. Doping has been a persistent issue, with systematic doping programmes, such as the East German doping scandal in the 1970s and 1980s and the more recent Russian doping scandal, highlighting the ongoing challenges of ensuring fair competition. Corruption and bribery within the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and among host city officials have also been recurrent problems, undermining the integrity of the Games. Yet perhaps the most egregious example of corruption in Olympic history occurred in the early 2000s, via the Salt Lake City scandal. It was revealed that Salt Lake City, which secured the bid to host the 2002 Winter Games, had made numerous questionable payments to IOC members (ranging from covering medical expenses to financing house purchases, I kid you not) in exchange for their votes. This scandal led to a significant cleanup and reforms within the IOC. While the organisation has largely rid itself of blatant corruption, such as bribery for television rights or hosting privileges (issues still prevalent in entities like FIFA), the IOC now faces a different challenge: the Olympic Games themselves. The enormous scale and cost of the Games, and the heavy burden often placed on the poorest residents of host cities represent the current vulnerabilities of the IOC.

The preparation for the various Olympic Games has, at times, involved human rights abuses, such as forced evictions and poor labour conditions. The 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics in China faced significant scrutiny for these issues. When the Beijing Olympics were staged, Chinese authorities seized the opportunity to completely overhaul the city, contributing to the event’s staggering $40 billion cost. A significant aspect of Beijing’s transformation was the destruction of the hutongs, the old, traditional streets that, despite poor sanitation and overcrowding, embodied much of the city’s historic atmosphere and intimacy. These areas were largely demolished to make way for bland modern developments, which excluded residents and created sterile, lifeless spaces within the city. This extensive urban redevelopment also led to the displacement of between half a million to one million people. In the lead-up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, it is estimated that around 77,000 people (estimates do vary) were displaced from their homes. The Brazilian government initiated a series of eviction campaigns to clear areas for Olympic infrastructure and facilities, often affecting low-income communities. The use of force and intimidation was widespread, and the deals people were offered were almost invariably well below market rates. This displacement raised significant concerns about human rights and the impact on the affected residents. Additionally, the environmental impact of hosting the Olympics, including the construction of facilities and infrastructure, has raised concerns about sustainability. Efforts are being made to make the games more environmentally friendly, but challenges remain.

Despite the controversies and ‘hidden histories,’ the Olympics have had a profound cultural impact, promoting international cooperation and cultural exchange. The Games provide a platform for countries to showcase their cultures and foster global understanding. The hidden history of the Olympic Games reveals a complex narrative of human achievement, political manoeuvring, and social change. From its ancient religious roots to modern-day controversies, the Olympics has continually evolved, reflecting broader societal dynamics. Understanding this history enriches our appreciation of the Games, highlighting the enduring appeal of this global celebration of athletic excellence and the human spirit.