Modern Olympic Games Flashcards
Background of Modern Olympic Games
Found in 1896, by Baron Pierre de Coubertin
First one held in Athens
Inspired by public schools/ancient Olympic Games/events in the Cotswolds
Aims of modern Olympic Games
Promote physical and moral development
Spread Olympic principles
Bring together athletes of the world every four years
Educate young people through sport -> to help build and more peaceful world
Olympic values
Excellence Respect Friendship Courage Determination Inspiration Equality
BOA
Formed in 1905
Responsible for planning and execution of Team GBs participation in summer and Winter Olympics
Not funded by government relies on sponsors
IOC
Created in Paris congress in 1894
Owns all rights to Olympics
Headquarters in Switzerland
Political exploitation
All events
Berlin 1936 - Third reich Ideology
Mexico City 1968 - black power demonstration
Munich 1972 - Palestinian terrorism
Moscow 1980 - boycott led by the USA
Los Angeles 1984 - boycott led by Soviet Union
Berlin 1936 - Third Reich Ideology
Hitler saw the opportunity for these games to be used as propaganda
German athletes trained full time, undermining amateur ideal of the games
Jesse Ownes beat Leutz Lang in long jump
Hitler refused to place the medal around his neck
Definition of propaganda
A type of communication that seeks to influence people towards a certain viewpoint
Mexico City 1968 - black power demonstration
During these games South Africa’s invite was withdrawn because of apartheid regime
Two black American athletes used 200m medal ceremony to protest against the lack of civil rights in the USA, raising black gloves fists
Munich 1972 - Palestinian terrorism
A day before the games were meant to start:
8 Palestinian terrorists entered the Olympic village and seized 11 Israeli athletes, making a political request for 234 Palestinian prisoners imprisoned in Israel to be released
German authorities attempted a rescue but this led to all hostages and 5 terrorists being killed
The IOC made a controversial decision to carry on with the games, flying the flags at half mast
Moscow 1980
In 1979 Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, creating a conflict that would last 10 years and extended the Cold War
The USA boycotted the games, with some British athletes also boycotting, an estimated 4,000 athletes boycotted the games
Definition of apartheid
A range of policies and legislation that leads to racial segregation
Los Angeles 1984 - boycott led by the Soviet Union
In response to boycott in 1980, the Soviet Union and 14 other nations (Poland, East Germany) refused to take part
The Soviet Union blames it on a lack of security measures but many saw this as a ‘tit for tat’
