The Evolving Games ― How the Olympics Changes With Society
by James P. Outreach & PR ExecutiveThe modern Olympic Games has come a long way from its
ancient origins. But importantly, it has always been a celebration of culture.
Unsurprisingly, there have been countless changes to the Games in its
multi-millennia spanning history, no less so than the dropping of sacrifice
from the official schedule. However, even since its modern revival, the mixture
of tradition and innovation has made the Olympiad a unique event in our global
lives. To celebrate National Sporting Heritage Day 2020, we look at how the
Olympics have kept up with tradition but also introduced new sport to reflect
changing times, and how the Games will likely progress into the future.
From Greece to Rio… de la Grèce à Rio
Between the first modern Games in Athens in 1896, to the
most recent edition in Rio 2016, new sports and traditions have led to
expectations that the Games must satisfy sports-obsessed people around the
world. Some notable traditions include the torch relay, medal ceremonies, and
the excitable opening and closing ceremonies.
The introduction of new sports at each Olympic Games also
shows us how our culture and tastes have changed since the event’s
rejuvenation. You may be surprised to find that some events which are staples
of modern scheduling, are only recent introductions.
Mountain biking was only introduced at Atlanta 1996, and the
triathlon at Sydney 2000. However, most surprisingly, tennis is a
fairly recent reintroduction. After its discontinuation following the 1924
event, the sport only returned to the Olympics in 1992. The 68-year tennis
break is a consequence of an institutional dispute over how to define amateur
players, but now the event is recognised with the same prestige as a Grand Slam
competition.
The introduction of new sports at Olympic Games indicates
changing attitudes, moving closer to urban sports and ones of acceptance. When
tennis was reintroduced, it was under the condition that all players regardless
of age, sex, and ability were able to play.
Today, sport is becoming a haven of acceptance and in the
international community, with gender inclusive events moving into the
mainstream―the newest sports introduced to the event reflect this even more.
Skateboarding in the ‘Ollie-mpic’ Games
The delayed Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo will
feature the much-anticipated inauguration of skateboarding as an official
Olympic event. Skateboarding is one
of five new sports being introduced to the programme, the others being
baseball/softball, karate, sports climbing, and surfing.
There have long been calls for sports including skateboarding and other urban events to
be included in the Games. Its inclusion marks a large step towards bringing the
Games to a younger and more urban audience.
The development of the sporting programme marks bigger
change than it may initially appear. The decision to include skateboarding in
the Tokyo 2020 Games, which will now run in 2021, started in 2014, and was
granted with unanimous approval. Host countries now also have an influence by
recommending new events for their edition of Olympics, with Tokyo intending to
focus on innovation and youth for the quadrennial event.
New names are appearing in the sphere of sport celebrity―one
being Sky Brown, a twelve-year-old British skateboarder hoping that she will be
successful at Tokyo next year.
Brown is still set to become Britain’s youngest ever
Summer Olympian, even following the delayed commencement date resulting
from the coronavirus pandemic. Brown says: “I feel like it doesn't matter how
old you are. […] I'm tiny and I'm going to be in this huge competition! You can
do anything, no matter what age you are.”
Brown was only four when the Olympics were staged in London,
with the official slogan ‘Inspire a Generation’. It will be interesting to see
how the Games develop in the future and continue to support and introduce new
faces to new sports.
Breaking from tradition
As with skateboarding, ‘breaking’ (or breakdancing as it is
also known) has been recommended by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee to
feature in their Olympic programme. A final decision on its inclusion is
expected later this year.
As with sports introduced at Tokyo, the intention to include
more “gender balanced, younger, and urban” events at Paris are driving the
future of the Games.
There has previously been breaking
at the Youth Olympic Games. While there was no British representation, it
proved successful and popular among spectators.
With developing technologies, and the uncertainties
surrounding social distancing leading into 2021, how we watch the Games in the
future is also a focus for organisers. Intel has even announced plans for a 5G-based
virtual reality experience for the Summer and Winter Games of 2020, 2022,
and 2024. The platform will offer spectators and athletes alike immersive
experiences and training solutions.
The Olympics has come a long way since 776BC, and with the
ability to get a front row seat to the newest sports from the other side of the
world, we’re sure that the future will continue to surprise us.
Change is inevitable, and adaptation is key to survival.
Never has this been truer than for the Olympic Games, where issues surrounding
sustainability, pandemics, and scandal have threatened its longevity and
tradition. However, the ancient event is one that is open to innovation and
thrives on new conventions. From ceremony to technology, the Olympics is safely
preparing for the next generation.
Sources
https://www.britannica.com/story/olympics-racket-sports
https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-approves-five-new-sports-for-olympic-games-tokyo-2020
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/47523698
https://www.intel.co.uk/content/www/uk/en/sports/olympic-games/overview.html
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Created on Sep 24th 2020 10:14. Viewed 467 times.