INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

and messages are transmitted in various ways. As examined in the
next section, inequalities still remain a dominant issue for the
achievement of the ‘universalism’. Although the Olympic and
Paralympic Games are based upon the national divisions, an overemphasis
on high achievement and success needs to be avoided due to
the importance of the concept of fair play and participation. Mutual
understanding and multiculturalism should be included within the
elements of the Olympic Movement by exchanging personals and
resources from richer to poorer countries.
Secondly, Euro-centrism can be seen from: the concentration of
host cities in the West; concentration of events of European-origin;
and the dominant influence of sponsorship and media concentrated
within the G8 countries. It can be suggested that the hosting city be
rotated around the five continents to display each culture. To increase
the alternative sport event, the admittance of non-Western sports, such
as martial arts, can be considered to enrich the frames of
multiculturalism and avoid an over-emphasis on achievement and
success at the Games. At the same time, it would be able to consider
the reducing number of western-events, such as soccer that possesses
only lower importance than the World Cup.
Sponsorship/advertisement and media rights are currently one of the
most controversial issues within the Olympic Movement as
dependency on the revenues from the sponsors’ influences on its
direction. The IOC needs to organize the educational meeting for the
(potential) sponsors around the continents to promote the ideal of
Olympism.
Thirdly, the budget for security is rising due to the current situation
of international politics. Although acts of prevention acts can be taken
in myriad ways, a suggestion can be made concerning the application
processes for volunteers to the Games. Currently, everybody can
apply to an organizing committee from any states. It is preferable, in
terms of security enhancement each candidate applies to a National
Olympic Committee who should cooperate with the government on an
intense security check of each candidate. Fourthly, due to the
gigantism of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the protection of
the environment should be considered by having the Games’ use the
same venues and by introducing stricter guidelines for environmental
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