The Olympics

The Olympics are a long standing tradition dating right back to the Archaic Period.

Much of the Olympics has changed over the years originally starting as a religious festival more to honour the Gods to becoming a showcase event of competitive prowess.

TASK

For this task you are to research the Ancient Olympics:

What separates the Olympics from other sporting events in the world is its emphasis on friendship, co-operation, fairness and unity. However it has often failed to meet its real potential in realising those values. In 1936 the Nazi regime used the Olympics as a platform to mark their uprising dictatorship. In 1972 in Munich the Black September Group assassinated 11members of the Israeli Olympic team in the name of Palestinian freedom. In 1976 in Montreal, Canada, the Olympics rendered the city nearly bankrupt. 30 years later the city was still paying off its debts. More recently, in 2008, the Olympics were held in China for the first time in hope that it would shine light on a country known for its abuse of human rights.

- This begs the question, to what extent is the Olympics relevant in todays world?

- How are the morals seen in light or in context of poverty, inequality and injustice.

- Does the current Olympics hold much connection with their origin in Ancient Greece (which was a festivity of unity and the only time the Greek Empire was ever unified as one)?

- Are the Olympics instead an opportunity for cities to market their potential and capitalise on an event worth billions of dollars?

It is an expensive event and your task is to work out if it is worth it and relevant in todays society.