What are the Characteristics of World Games?

The Olympic Games

Background Ancient Olympics 776 BC – Greece – festivals of sport, religion, culture England – Cotswold Olympics – 1600’s – Founded by Robert Dover Multi sports festival – stopped due to ‘rowdiness and dangerous activities England – Much Wenlock Olympian games – 1850’s – Founded by Dr Penny Brookes – Aim to promote ‘ moral, physical and intellectual improvement’ Baron Pierre De Coubertin – French aristocrat – Visited Much Wenlock Games and English Public Schools – Impressed by the qualities that sport could inspire in young people – courage, leadership, teamwork etc De Coubertin organised the first Modern Olympics in Athens in 1896

The Olympic Ideal The Olympic Charter – ‘ To contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play’ Amateurism Early Olympics were for amateurs only De Coubertin was following the ethics and values of English Public Schools Gentleman Amateur competed to test himself and for the love of sport not financial reward Early competitors were upper or middle class Fair play was an essential part of the Games philosophy Taking part fairly was considered more important than winning Practising or training was seen as almost as bad as cheating It showed too much emphasis on wanting to win

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Main organising body for the Olympics – Summer and Winter Decides which city will host each games IOC members vote for their preferred choice It tries to manage the commercial side of the Games while still sticking to the original ideals as much as possible It owns all the rights to Olympic symbols, flag, motto, anthem etc The British Olympic Organisation (BOA) Main organising body for British Olympic teams Works on Olympic Bids e.g. bidding for 2012 Raises funds from government and sponsors Manages teams – travel, training camps, kit, support etc

1936 Berlin Olympics 1972 Munich Olympics Cathy Freeman – 2000 Olympics

Commercialisation of the Olympics As mentioned already strict amateur rules applied to the early Olympics up until 1984 No professional was allowed to take part in any event For example you could be banned if someone bought you a pair of trainers as that would be considered as professionalism The cost of staging the Games increased every time until after hosting 1976 Games the city of Montreal almost went bankrupt In 1984 Peter Uberroth was appointed to make the Los Angeles Games financially viable He sold the TV and radio rights for huge sums as there was now a global audience hungry to follow the games He persuaded private companies to build major facilities Since then many cities compete to bid for each Games as money can be made and great benefits to the host city and country are possible The Olympic Partner Programme- companies can get the best advertising slots to showcase their products Concern now is about logistics of safety and huge numbers of people

London 2012 For this section you need to understand the benefits of getting the games for: Sport as a whole in this country Britain as a whole The local area Also the drawbacks and problems that may arise In pairs make write some suggested points that may come under each of the above headings. For this information see pages 321 – 325 in particular fig 11.3.1 – 11.3.2 and 11.3.3 on page 324

The Olympic Games and nation building The Olympic games is the perfect stage for nation building This means promoting a country to the rest of the world and its own people A successful games can gain publicity for the country, improve its image and increase national pride This is called the ‘shop window’ effect Politicians use sport to promote their country and their political system Some games have been successful in promoting the country in a good light Others have been beset by political problems

China is a one party communist state Sport is controlled and funded by the government They want sport to increase political prestige and morale amongst the workforce The Beijing Olympics was a chance to show the rest of the world how powerful China is as it emerged as a major industrial power. China has a poor record on Human rights Political opposition can be brutally repressed Some felt that by giving the Games to China this would endorse their repressive regime Others felt that by opening up the country to the rest of the world, China would be forced to become a more open society with greater freedom for its people

Other Olympic games have been beset by political problems Berlin 1936 Mexico city 1968 Munich 1972 Moscow 1980 Los Angeles 1984

Exam Question Elite athletes are role models and are expected to uphold the traditions of sport and the spirit of competition rewards. (a)Explain the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship. Use examples to illustrate your answer. (3 marks) (b)The Olympic Ideal proposes that ‘the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part.’ With reference to the contract to compete, why might many people feel that the Olympic Ideal has little relevance in the modern sporting arena? (4 marks)

Sportsmanship Gamesmanship Conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants in sports, especially fair play, courtesy, striving spirit, and grace in losing. Gamesmanship 1. The art or practice of using tactical manoeuvres to further one's aims or better one's position: "a sometimes wry, sometimes savage look at the players, political gamesmanship, turf battles and outright chaos that permeated Washington" (David M. Alpern). 2. The use in a sport or game of aggressive, often dubious tactics, such as psychological intimidation or disruption of concentration, to gain an advantage over one's opponent.

Contract to compete Modern Day Sport Acceptance of this contract involves an expectation of how the opposition will play of which we expect: - Try their best - Respect the rules and officials Show sportsmanship Modern Day Sport Reasons for negative ethic/ disobeying the contract: - Prize money from winning - Gamesmanship (over-aggression, foul play, bending the rules) - Winning becomes everything - The use of drugs (breaks rules and has potential side effects)