Thread by @virtaava

The Olympics are inherently political
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach, that the Olympics “are not about politics” is not only false but also shows a lack of understanding of the historical significance of the Games. 1/13

From the very beginning, the Olympics have been a platform for countries to promote their politics and agendas. In ancient Greece, the Games were used as a means of showing off a city-state’s strength and superiority over others. 2/13

Similarly, in modern times, the Olympics have been used as a tool for political propaganda, diplomacy, and even protest.

One need not look far to see examples of politics in the Olympics. 3/13

In 1936, Nazi Germany used the Games as a way of showcasing its political ideology and demonstrating its supposed racial superiority. 4/13

The Berlin Olympics were a clear example of how politics and sport are intertwined, with the Nazis using the Games as a way of legitimizing their regime and promoting their fascist agenda. 5/13

Similarly, in 1968, the Black Power salute by US athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos was a political statement made on the Olympic stage. It was a protest against racial injustice and a call for greater civil rights for Black Americans. 6/13

Their act of protest was a clear example of how politics and sport are inextricably linked. 7/13

American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos, along with Australian Peter Norman, during the award ceremony of the 200 m race at the Mexican Olympic games. 8/13

During the awards ceremony, Smith (center) and Carlos protested against racial discrimination: they went barefoot on the podium and listened to their anthem bowing their heads and raising a fist with a black glove. Mexico City, Mexico, 1968. 9/13

Even in recent times, we have seen politics play a role in the Olympics. The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, were seen as a diplomatic breakthrough, with North Korea sending a delegation to participate in the Games. 10/13

The move was seen as a significant step towards reducing tensions between the two Koreas, and it demonstrated how sport can be used as a tool for diplomacy. 11/13

It is clear that the IOC’s stance that “the Olympics are not about politics” is false and not anchored in history or reality. 12/13

The Olympics have always been a platform for countries to showcase their politics and agendas, and attempts to separate the two are misguided and naïve.

#Olympics#Paris2024 #IOC
medium.com/@virtaava/the-… 13/13

Part 2

https://twitter.com/virtaava/status/1639893654851448832

Part 3

https://twitter.com/virtaava/status/1639893914889994242