Chapter 5 Politics, Nationalism and the Olympic Movement

Politics The interaction between power and authority. Perhaps one of the most succinct ways of describing the political process is ‘who gets what, when, where and how’.

Table 5.1. Aristotle’s political system classification Politics (cont’d) No. of citizens entitled to rule Rulers rule in the interest of all Rulers rule in he interest of themselves One Kingship (monarchy) Tyrannny Few Aristocracy Oligarchy Many Polity Democracy Table 5.1. Aristotle’s political system classification Source: Dahl (1984: 64)

Olympic Games and Politics The link between modern sport and politics: 1) Athletes represent an organisation - competing against a similar body. 2) Rituals affirm allegiance to that organisation. 3) Governments are involved in the subsidisation of athletes’ training and competition. 4) There is politics within and between sporting governing bodies. (Espy, 1979)

Political Interference at the Games Internal politics within the nation where the Olympics are being staged International rivalries, based on either political or ideological disputes. Use of Games to advance national agenda. Competitors have used the Games as a forum for political demonstrations against their national governments. Non-participants have used the Games to further their political causes. Participating nations try to equate Olympic success with their social, economic and political superiority (Warning, 1980) Politics within the IOC have impacted on Olympic policy.

Internal Politics of the Host Nation Athens, 1896 Greek Prime Minister decided that his country could not afford the honour. The Greek Royal Family intervened to reverse the decision (Warning, 1980). Paris, 1900 Some French athletic officials were hostile to the Olympics and deliberately hindered their planning. Many nations were disconcerted by the incompetence of the French officials.

Internal Politics of the Host Nation (cont’d.) Mexico City, 1968 Many Mexicans believed that spending large amounts of money in the name of sports was unjustified. Money should’ve been spent on housing or welfare resources. Ten days before the Opening Ceremony, the most violent demonstration occurred. Montréal, 1976 High cost and construction of facilities for the Games. Many unfinished facilities.

Internal Politics of the Host Nation (cont’d.) Figure 5.1. Lavish facilities provided for the Montréal Games, 1976

Internal Politics of the Host Nation (cont’d.) Opposing the bid: Toronto ‘Bread not Circuses’ became one of the strongest anti-Olympic organisations in the world. It lobbied against Toronto’s 1996 and 2008 Olympic Games bids and the Vancouver bid for the 2010 Winter Games. Members argued that the perceived profits from the event were only short-term ‘economic steroids’.

Opposing Political Ideologies Berlin, 1916 War was declared in 1914. Pressure was exerted by the Allied powers to move the Games. The Games could not be shifted to an alternate site were cancelled, for the first time in the history of the modern Games. Berlin, 1936 – The ‘Nazi Games’ Problems stemmed from the issue of discrimination against Jews in Germany under the Nazi regime. To compensate for the growing world opposition, the Nazis spared no effort in their preparations.

Opposing Political Ideologies (cont’d.) Figure 5.2. Berlin, 1936: arrival of the Olympic torch, against a backdrop of Nazi flags

Opposing Political Ideologies (cont’d.) Melbourne, 1956 Egypt withdrew from the Games due to the Suez Canal conflict. Mass unrest in Poland and Hungary - revolting against the regime in Moscow. Soviets troops fired on unarmed crowds in Budapest. Fights broke out between Hungarian and Soviet athletes due to the political situation in Hungary. Boycotts 1960s: many countries had curtailed their sporting links with South Africa and Rhodesia because of their apartheid policies. 1979: as a response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, USA called on the nations to boycott the forthcoming 1980 Games

Nationalism London, 1908: American vs. British participants and officials. Berlin, 1936: attempting to demonstrate prosperity under the Nazi system, and divert global attention away from controversial areas of Nazi policy.

Nationalism (cont’d.) Helsinki, 1952: Soviets and Americans perceived Olympic competition in nationalistic terms. Seoul, 1988: South Korea vs. North Korea. Salt Lake City, 2002: Accusations of favouring Russian and French skaters.

Political Demonstrations, Terrorism, and Security at the Games Munich, 1972 One of the most tragic incidents in Olympic history was of the international terrorism genre. Palestinian terrorists invaded the Olympic Village taking ten Israelis hostage in their quarters. 17 people were killed. Montréal, 1976: Non-violent demonstrations by Ukrainians for an independent Ukrainian Olympic team. Barcelona, 1992: Bombing of electricity pylons in attempt to interrupt the Opening Ceremony.

Political Demonstrations, Terrorism, and Security at the Games (cont’d Atlanta, 1996: Explosions at the Olympic Centennial Park, injuring 110 people. Athens 2004: The most guarded Olympic Games in history and the ‘biggest – most expensive – peace time security operation ever.’

Political Demonstrations: Athletes 1968 Mexico City Olympics: US athletes highlighted the inferior treatment of black athletes in the USA. Figure 5.3. Black Power salute, Mexico City, 1968

IOC Politics The IOC is a self-elected, self-regulating association and, until 1981, it consisted entirely of men. In 1998, Swiss IOC member Marc Hodler announced that there was ‘massive corruption’ in the IOC. The IOC felt obliged to investigate the claims.

1998 Corruption Scandal: Reform Measures The main reform measures were: Procedure for electing candidate cities amended and visits by IOC members to candidate cities abolished. 15 active Olympic athletes, elected to the IOC by their peers at the Olympic Games. Creation of a Nominations Commission for IOC membership. Mandate of IOC Members to last eight years, renewable through re-election. Maximum of 115 members. Presidential mandate limited to eight years, renewable once for four years.