Rewriting the History of the Olympic Games (2004) (original) (raw)
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This paper is analyzing the revival of the Olympic Games and their celebration in Athens (1896) not within the context of a continuity from ancient times to the nineteenth century, but, on the contrary, within the framework of the great changes – economic, social, ideological, cultural – which took place in Western societies from the eighteenth century on. I will try to show why Olympism was successful both in Europe and in Greece in late 19 th century and to interpret the revival of an ancient institution and the first Olympic Games in the light of concurrence of internationalism and nationalism.
AGON AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF VICTORY AT THE CEREMONIAL GAMES IN OLYMPIA
Physical education and sport through the centuries, 2021
The ideology of one of the most important global sporting events of today, the modern Olympic Games, focused on participation rather than victory, promoting equality among participants rather than domination of the victors over the defeated, established ideal models of sportsmanship and sports ethics of today based on the values of ancient society. The subject of this paper refers to the agon and the significance of winning the Ceremonial Games in Olympia. The objective of the paper is to determine the significance of the victory at the Ceremonial Games in Olympia through a review of primary and secondary historical sources, as well as to point out the connection between the victory and the agon. The historical method and the method of theoretical analysis are both applied in the paper. The results of the research point to the fact that the Ceremonial Games in Olympia were shaped by the general Greek phenomenon of expressed competitiveness or agon, the concept of honourable rivalry in all spheres of social life, with the purpose of proving excellence and superiority over competitors, and which as such became the main driving force of the development of ancient Greek culture, on the foundations of which the entire Western civilization rests today.
Ancient Hellenic Ideals and The Modern Olympic Games
The purpose of this paper is to identify and articulate the philosophical ideals that, in our view, underpinned the ancient Olympic Games and may serve the modern Olympic Movement in its quest for global harmony. Although the claim of the ancient Games to unite the far corners of Hellas may appear quaint when compared to our worldwide festivals, the political and logistical challenges were arguably no less formidable than ours. Furthermore the ancient Games’ more than 1,000 year span makes the modern Games’ single-century history look like a flash in the pan. Big and strong as the modern Games seem, they should humbly acknowledge their infancy and look to their venerable ancestor for advice as they face an uncertain future. It was the ideals associated with Olympia that secured the ancient Games’ long-enduring success. We believe that only if the modern Olympic Movement actively understands and consciously preserves its ancient heritage, can the Games remain a beacon of idealism amid the headlong pursuit of worldly wealth and power.