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The success of the Modern Olympic Games came in no small part as a result
of Coubertin's symbolic respect for the Greek past. The Games of Antiquity were
the most prestigious cultural event of the ancient Greek world. Few glories were
as great and as lasting as winning an Olympic crown. Despite the toppling of
empires, frequent wars, famines and other catastrophes the Games continued
without interruption for over 1,000 years.
After the success of the 1896 Games the Greeks campaigned vigorously
to make Athens the permanent site of the Olympic Games. This did not materialise
as Coubertin wanted the Games to be ambulatory and to maintain the principle
of a four-year periodicity.
The Games of 1900 went to Paris with the Games of 1904 being held in St Louis
and those of 1908 in London. Sadly, all three Games became part of international
trade fairs.
Although Pierre de Coubertin had a stronger individual grip of the IOC after
the first Games of Athens, he had to seek a compromise in allowing the Games to
become part of the international trade fairs of Paris, St Louis and London so as
to preserve the ambulatory nature and the four-year period of the Games. There
were very few bidders for the Games during this period.
After Athens the Games period became long and tedious. The Games stretched
through many months. It was only since Los Angeles in 1932 that the Games were
compressed to a respectable period. The Games in Sydney stretched over 17 days.
The period for Athens 2004 is identical.
Politics and Racism
Whenever and wherever nations assemble for any form of an international
forum, the sense of national pride inevitably gives rise to some form of politics.
Sadly, this cannot be avoided.
The Games of Antiquity could not escape the politics of its period, although
the early Games were strictly reserved for Greek citizens the Olympic Truce had
to be instituted to prevent wars between the Greek City States damaging the
Games. City-State pride inspired great reverence for Olympic victors. City States
sponsored athletes so that they could return victorious from Olympia.
In the year 388 BC the Greek tyrant Dionysios of Syracuse, who sent several
teams of horses to the Games and an ostentatious tent to house his delegates,
received the full wrath of the spectators who looted the magnificent tent.
The first Games in Athens were, by no means, non-political. The Greek Royal
Family used the occasion to cement its importance because its constitutional
powers were severely limited.
The St Louis Games of 1900 brought out the worst in racism in sport. As part
of the Games the organisers arranged a two-day contest called the "Anthropological
Days". Olympic events were parodied by Patagonians, Japanese Ainus, African
Pygmies, Moros from the Phillipines, American Sioux Indians, Turks, Coropas from
Mexico and Syrians. Events like pole climbing and mud fights were included in
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