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MORAL AND ETHICAL ASPECTS OF THE CONTEMPORARY
OLYMPIC MOVEMENT ANTI-DOPING CODE
By Mr Tatchat ASATURYAN (ARM)
Erevan State Institute of Physical Education
The history of Olympism has two different parts: the first is that of the Hellenic
Olympic Games; and the second that of the contemporary Games. The latter
began at the end of the 19 th century. Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin called upon
the athletes from all around the world to come together to restore the Olympic
Games of Antiquity. He was the founder of the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) and revived the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.
When carrying out historical-scientific research on the history and origins of
the contemporary Olympic Movement, its link with the ideals of the Olympism of
Antiquity has been emphasised. The outer aspect of the contemporary Olympic
Games and their ideal inherited from Antiquity sometimes hide quite a major
inner difference. Scholars study the sacred aspects of the Games of Antiquity and
the most important ones are, of course, the Olympic Games. Scholars see the
Olympic Games as a mythological celebration which took place in the presence
of heroes and Gods in a prehistoric era. The prestige and influence of the Olympic
Games attracted the entire Greek world to Olympia. Their fame went as far as
India. It was even thought that Gods attended the Games. For that reason,
sacrifices were made and the Games were devoted to the Gods. The winner of an
event at the Games was seen not only as an athlete, but also as a person chosen
by the Gods. It was therefore not an ordinary person who triumphed in a race,
boxing or in other competitions, it was a creature of human excellence. The
victory of someone at the Olympic Games, according to the Hellenes, was proof
that that person had been protected by the Gods and could achieve a level of
happiness which was impossible for a human being.
In the literature on the history of the Games there are descriptions of the
great honour bestowed on the winners: a statue erected; solemn processions
organised in their honour; and their towns awarding them a monetary allowance
for life.
From all that, it can be said that, in Ancient history, there has been no other
celebration or tradition as fine or as important as the Olympic Games. Just like
looking in a mirror, one can see the social rules and the tradition of education,
mental development and the improvement of the body. It can be said that in
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