The Olympics are an international event where teams of diverse competitors come to participate in the Olympics. The Olympics has going on for at least 1248 years since dating back to 776 B.C. in the time of ancient Greece. In ancient times, the Olympics’ timespan is from the first day, then it goes on until the fifth day. Today’s timespan is at least 16 days long (2 weeks and 2 extra days).
Ancient Olympia 776 B.C. – 393 A.D.
All the way back in 776 B.C., the very first Olympic Games were held during the summer at Olympia (a sacred site in the southern part of Greece where ancient Greeks worshipped their gods). The reason why the Olympic Games were invented was to honour one of their most recognised god: Zeus, king of the gods. The athletes would pray to Zeus give them victory and leave him gifts as a sign of thanks for their triumphs. This was one of the customs that agreed to do so according to ancient Greeks. The city-states and settlements of Greece were often at war with each other. But sometimes, they can have a truce between cities, so the athletes can go and compete in the games. During ancient Greece, only men took part of the Olympic Games and some of them did it completely naked! Many of the games are still in the modern Olympics such as sprinting, wrestling etc. But there were 2 forgotten sports that used to in the Olympic Games. Chariot racing was cancelled since we have modern technology. Another long forgotten one was called the pankration, it was known as the ultimate fighting sport with no weight classes, no time-limits and 2 rules were allowed, no biting and no eye gouging. Basically, the competitors have to fight without a specific timespan until one either gave up or even died. The Olympics continued until 393 A.D. (credits to National Geographical kids)
Berlin 1931 – 1936: The Nazi Olympics
In 1931, Berlin was chosen to host the 1936 Olympic Games, however in 1933, the Nazi Party came about in Germany and started proposing boycotts (to stop or prevent something). Since this occurred, many of the western countries were greatly dismayed by the proposal and had given negative energy on Germany’s policies and human rights violations. Regardless, over 49 countries still attended to the Berlin Olympics(the biggest number of countries that attended to any Olympics so far). The Germany government used this as an opportunity to display their country as benign (kind) and progressive (developing) nationality while also arranging fuel for its Aryan-superiority propaganda, which is prohibited (banned) by the IOC. The IOC also requested that the Germany government allow qualified Jewish athletes in the Olympics, which a woman named Helene Mayer who represented Germany in woman’s fencing. But she couldn’t beat the record-breaking American sprinter, long-jumper, quadruple gold medals winner and an African American woman named Jesse Owens, whom many people claim she single-handedly destroyed the attempt of Germany proving Aryan-superiority.
London 1948: Germany and Japan Banned
In 1948, Japan and Germany were not requested to the ‘first Olympic Games after WWII’, where it was hosted in London, the Soviet Union were invited at least but unfortunately they refused to send a team over. After the tragic event of WWII, many European cities like London were still recovering. Because of this, they only had limited-time to set up everything for the big competition so they used an already-made sport and housing facilities for the Olympics. Wembley Stadium was said to be the hot spot for events, athletics events, hosting the opening ceremony and more. Though, there are some claims that it was built by the German prisoners who were retained from the war as a path to get from the London Underground to the stadium. Although, there is no actual evidence.
Melbourne 1956: Two Protests
In 1956, 2 protests led to less than 67 countries attended to the Melbourne Olympic Games. The Suez Crisis in the Middle East came to a head when the Israeli brigades (small military army) came and invaded the Sinai Peninsula in October 1956. Afterwards, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq boycotted the Games to protest the invasion from Israel and their allies, while the Soviet army invaded Budapest, Hungary, just a few weeks before the opening ceremony. Unfortunately, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland had to be pulled out of the Games to protest against this. Hungary still remained in the Games and an intense water polo face-off happened as a result between it’s team and the U.S.S.R.
Mexico City 1968: Brutal Shooting and Civil Right Protest
In 1968, the Summer Olympics in Mexico City witnessed 2 major political events, 10 days before the opening ceremony of the Olympics, a protest happened in Plaza of Three Cultures in the Tlatelolco neighbourhood led by Mexican students who were against the use of the government funding for the Games instead of social programs. Tragically, the Mexican army who were there, surrounded the plaza and killed over 200 protesters and over more than 1,000 were injured, which is now known as the Tlatelolco massacre and a terrible atrocity (a cruel act). Another protest happened in America, U.S. sprinters, Tommie Smith and John Carlos protested the management of black citizens during the men’s 200 metre award ceremony. They came 1st place and 3rd place, both being barefoot and wore a single black glove that was raised during the U.S. national anthem while bowing their heads. Another American sprinter, Peter Norman who came 2nd place wore a human rights badge. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were immediately banned by the IOC and the U.S. Committee.
Munich 1972: Munich Massacre
In 1972, the Games were spoiled by the Palestinian terrorist attack opposing the Israeli team. On September 5th of 1972, about 8 terrorists secretly entered (accompanied with Black September organisation) the Olympic Village and murdered 2 members of the Israeli team. After this happened, they captured 9 more hostages in order to release the Palestinian prisoners. Unfortunately, by unqualified German police force, they managed to get the nearest airport and killed the hostages. Luckily, the police came and killed 8 of the terrorists and 1 German police officer.
Montreal 1976: African Countries Boycott Olympics
In 1976, partial of 2 dozen countries boycotted the 1976 Olympic Games, which was mostly in Africa in Montreal after the IOC refused to ban New Zealand from the Games. New Zealand’s national rugby team toured South Africa, otherwise banning them since 1964 because of their apartheid (separating, setting apart) policies. Although it did as planned for South Africa, it did take notice from the Olympic Games, making a major effect on the Games. It brought world-wide attention to policies identical to these in South Africa, especially when South Africa Springboks attended to New Zealand to tour their rugby team, they were met with negative comments form antiapartheid protests.
Rio do Janeiro 2016: Refugee Olympic Team
In 2016, about 10 refugees athletes were chosen to participate in the first ever ROT (Refugee Olympic Team) for the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics. The IOC had created this team because to bring the refugee crisis to the international forefront. Originally, athletes from Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo were selected for the team, each athlete had trained in a host country – Kenya, Belgium, Luxembourg, Brazil or Germany. The athletes, judokas (someone who participates in judo), distance runners, sprinters, and swimmers entered the opening ceremony before the host country Brazil, carrying Olympic flag with them.
(credits to Britannica )
