OLYMPICS

Political Realities Influence the Olympics



Political Realities Influence the Olympics

Introduction

The Olympic Games have long been used as a political tool, especially as a tool of global publicity and to give a good political image. Historically, in 393, Theodosius the Great banned the Games because there was too much bribery and corruption going on and the Games did not return until 1896. More recently, the 1936 games in Berlin were choreographed by the Nazi Party as a form of propaganda showing German superiority. The Olympic Games have, over time, become irreparably intertwined with politics. This is seen both through the use of the games as a political tool by governments, political pressure groups and terrorists. In many cases the political events surrounding the games have often overshadowed the sporting achievements of the game themselves. This means that the games have effectively become more of a publicity and media tool, than an environment for sporting competitiveness. The IOC has long sought to separate sport and politics, but more recently the IOC has aimed to increase its political influence. (Coubertin, 2001)

Discussion

In recent years it has taken a much more active role in negotiations, as well as forming partnerships with the UN. The IOC use the ancient Olympic ideals a basis for peace and cooperation between all countries. This can be seen in the recent ratification of the Olympic truce. Globally, the IOC has relatively little political influence as the major governments are at liberty to deny its support. At the moment the IOC are unable to host and enforce peaceful negotiations between countries, however as they IOC develops its political skills, we may see it having a greater influence in the future. Moreover, political factors and national rivalries have long played a role in the judging of figure skating at the Games. Throughout the Cold War it was routine “their” skaters, and their counterparts from the West to do the same for skaters from countries allied to the US. In its campaign in support of the Canadian pair, the US media, led by the broadcaster of the Games, NBC, threw all pretense of journalistic impartiality out the window. NBC television commentators Scott Hamilton and Sandra Bezic (a former Canadian pairs medalist openly rooting for the Canadian skaters) exultantly declared that the Canadians had won the gold before the latter had even left the ice. They expressed outrage over the judges' verdict. “How did this happen?” demanded Hamilton. Bezic told the viewing audience she was “ashamed for our sport.”(Guttmann, 2006 12)

This became the opening shot in a raucous drive to reverse the judges' decision. Throughout the week the American and Canadian media were unrelenting in their attacks, directed in the first instance against the French judge who cast the swing vote tipping the verdict in favor of the Russian pair. There were allegations that she had caved in to pressure from French skating officials to vote for the Russians in the figure skating event, in return for a vote by the ...