UNIT - II
OLYMPISM
- SHUBHAM TIWARI
TABLE OF CONTENT
• Ancient and Modern Olympics
• Paralympics and Special Olympics
• Olympism - Concept and Olympics Values
(Excellence, Friendship & Respect)
• Olympics - Symbols, Motto, Flag, Ideals, Objectives,
Oath, and Anthem
• Olympic Movement Structure- IOC, NOC, IFS, Other
members
ANCIENT OLYMPICS
• There is no authentic information or definite fact about their origin but there
are various tales about the origin of the games. According to the available
information in history, the first ancient Olympic Games started in Olympia
Valley in 776 BCE. It is believed that the natives of Olympia adored Zeus as
their God. According to another story, wrestling took place between the Gods
and Goddesses to assert their rights on this earth. This wrestling took place
between Zeus and Koronos in which Zeus became the winner. To celebrate
this victory, the games and sports were started.
• Whatever the reason behind the beginning of Olympic Games was, it is
certain that these games were organised first time in the beautiful valley
named “Olympia”. Therefore, these games were called Olympic Games.
ANCIENT OLYMPICS (Cont.)
The ancient Olympic Games continued for approximately one thousand years. But
in 394CE, Theodosius, the King of Rome, stopped the ancient Olympic Games.
Only foodgrains, animals and a crown made of olive leaves were given as a reward
to the winner. Statues were also made of the winners. Even the players used to
participate in these games for respect, honour and not for the sake of awards.
Rules for competitions in Ancient Olympic Games:
• The competitor must be only a Greek, completely from a Hellenic race and must
be physically fit.
• Savages and punished persons were not allowed to participate in these games.
• The competitor had to stay in Olympia for one month before the beginning of
Olympic Games.
• Women were not allowed to participate in competitions or see these games.
• Only amateur sportspersons could participate in these games and not the
professionals.
MODERN OLYMPICS
The credit to start the modern Olympic Games goes to Pierre, Baron de
Coubertin of France. Coubertin was born in Paris on 1st Jan, 1862. It was
Coubertin’s dream to restart the ancient Olympic Games at world level. For this
purpose, he called a meeting in of various countries in 1893. Again on 16th
June, 1894 a meeting of countries held in Paris in which 75 representatives
participated and resolved that “Sports competition should be held every fourth
year on the lines of Greek Olympic Games and every nation should be invited
to participate”.
In the 1896 Athens Olympic Games, the first modern Olympic Games were
conducted in which only fourteen countries participated. This number gradually
increased and in the 1972 Munich (West Germany) Olympic games, 122
countries participated. Three Olympics could not be held during the two World
Wars.
PARALYMPIC GAMES
• The word ‘Paralympic’ originated from Greek word, Para which means beside
or alongside, and the word Olympic. It means that the Paralympics are parallel
to the Olympics. The first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy 1960.
However, the Paralympic word was used officially in 1988 Summer Olympic
Games.
• Paralympic games are a major international multi-sport events for the athletes
with various disability such as athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations,
blindness and cerebral palsy.
• Paralympic Games are held at an interval of every four years following the
Olympic Games and governed by International Paralympic Committee;
(Headquarter- Bonn, Germany).
• ‘Spirit in Motion’ is the Paralympic motto. The International Paralympic
Committee has established ten disability categories including physical, visual
and intellectual impairment. There are 22 sports at the Summer Paralympics
and 6 sports at the Winter Paralympics.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS
• Special Olympics were started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of
John F. Kennedy, the former president of USA. She was convinced that
children with intellectual disabilities could be exceptional
athletes/sportspersons and that through sports they can realise their
potential for growth and development.
• The first Special Olympics were held in July 1968 in Chicago.
• In 1988, the Special Olympics were officially organised by
International Olympic Committee.
• The Special Olympics logo is based on the sculpture “Joy and
Happiness to All the Children of the World”.
• Special Olympics has more than 30 Olympic-type individual and
team sports that provide meaningful training and competition
opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
OLYMPISM (Concept and Olympic values)
Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the
qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism
seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good
example, social responsibility and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
Excellence: Excellence means doing the best we can, on the field of play or in our
professional life. The important thing is not winning, but taking part, making progress
and enjoying the healthy combination of body, will and mind.
Friendship: Friendship is at the heart of the Olympic Movement. It encourages us to
see sport as an instrument for mutual understanding between individuals, and between
people all over the world.
Respect: This includes respect for yourself and your body, for other people, for rules
and regulations, for sport and for the environment.
OLYMPICS (Symbols, motto, flag, objectives,
oath and anthem)
Symbols: The five Olympic rings are also referred to as “The Olympic symbol”.
It was designed by Pierre-de-Coubertin in 1913. It comprises five interlinked
rings to represent the sporting friendship of all people. The colors are blue,
black, red, yellow and green. The rings are often said to represent the five
continents of the world involved in the Olympic Games: Europe, Africa, America,
Asia and Australia respectively.
Motto: The Olympic motto comprises of three latin words CITIUS, ALTIUS,
FORTIUS, which means FASTER, HIGHER, STRONGER. The motto was
created in 1891 by Father Henri Didon, a friend of Pierre de Coubertin, and
adopted by the IOC in 1894.
Flag: The Olympic flag was created in 1913 at the suggestion of Coubertin and
hoisted for first time over an Olympic stadium in 1920 during the Antwerp
Games in Belgium. It is made of white silk and contains five interlocked rings of
blue, black, red, yellow and green colour which represents different continents.
Objectives: According to Coubertin, following objectives can be
achieved through Olympic Games:
To pay attention towards physical education and sports competitions
in all the countries of the world.
To develop personality, character, citizenship qualities and health
among the youths.
Formation of good habits among sportspersons so that they could
lead a healthy and prosperous life.
To develop patriotism and fraternity among sportspersons.
To develop international fraternity and peace.
Not to have any discrimination on the basis of caste, race and
religion.
To encourage moral values and unbiased behaviour through sports
Oath: At the opening ceremony there are always three oaths taken: one by
athlete, one by a coach and one by officials/judges. The oath- “In the name
of all competitors, I promise that we will take part in these Olympic Games,
respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in the true spirit of
sportsmanship, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without
drugs, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.” The Olympic oath
was first used at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp.
Anthem: The music for the Olympic Anthem was written by Greek composer
Spyros Samaras and the words were added by Greek poet Kostis Palamas
in 1896. It was adopted by the IOC in 1958. The Olympic Anthem is played
at the opening and closing ceremonies of all Olympic Games and during all
official International Olympic Committee ceremonies.
OLYMPIC MOVEMENT STRUCTURE
(IOC, NOC, IFS, OTHER MEMBERS)
International Olympic Committee (IOC):
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the governing body of the modern
Olympic Games. It is committed to support and promote participation in sports
throughout the world.
The IOC has its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was created by Pierre
Baron de Coubertin on 23 June 1894.
Its membership consists of 105 active members and 32 honorary members from different
countries who constitutes president, vice presidents, executive board & secretary general.
The IOC organises the modern Olympic Games held in summer and winter, every four
years. The first Summer Olympic Games by the IOC were held in Athens, Greece,
1984.
The main functions of IOC are: to conduct regular Olympic games, schedule, venue,
sports, rules and regulations. It encourages the development of sports for all and also
fight against doping/unfair in sports. It opposes any political or commercial abuse of
sports and athletes and to coordinate with all national sports governing body & Olympic
association.
National Olympic Committees (NOCs):
National Olympic Committees (NOCs) exist in the different countries of the world.
They are one of the three constituents of the Olympic Movement, alongside the
International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Sports Federations
(IFs).
The IOC is the sole authority to recognise a NOC. Together with the International
Sport Federations, the NOCs are a constituent of the Olympic Movement under the
leadership of the IOC.
The NOCs’ mission is to develop, promote and protect the Olympic Movement in
their respective country, in accordance with the Olympic Charter.
As of 2015, there are total 206 NOCs, representing both sovereign nations and other
geographical areas
NOCs are responsible for organizing their people's participation in the Olympic
Games.
International Sports Federations (IFs):
The International Sports Federations (IFs) are international non-
governmental organizations recognised by the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) as administering one or more sports at world level.
The national federations administering those sports are affiliated to them.
The International Sports Federations (IFs) establish the rules that govern
their sport and ensure that they are applied.
They are responsible for the technical aspects of their sport at the
Olympic Games. The IFs have the responsibility and duty to manage and
to monitor the everyday running of the world's various sports disciplines.
The IFs ensure that their sport is developed worldwide and disseminate
the values of Olympism through their activities.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA):
Indian Olympic Association (IOA) was established in 1927. Sir
Dorabji Jamshedji Tata and Dr Noehren became the founder
President and secretary general repectively of IOA.
IOA is affiliated to the IOC. The election of the office bearers of the
IOA is held after every four years; (Headquarter- New Delhi).
The objectives of IOA are to develop and promote the Olympic
movement. To enforce all rules and regulations of the IOC and IOA. To
take disciplinary action against any sports federation for any
misconduct or rule violation. To cooperate with the national sports
federation, organise, control selection, training, coaching of the Indian
teams. Admitting the membership of the state Olympic Association and
national sports federation. And to enforce and defend the exclusive
rights of the Association to use the Olympic flag and Olympic insignia.
