SECTION V: A Social and Political History of the Modern Olympic Games Mechikoff, R.A., A History and Philosophy of Sport and Physical Education, Sixth Edition © 2014, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Pioneers and Progress: 1896 - 1936 Chapter 15

Origins of Modern Olympic Games Originated in Athens in 1896 Evolved into one of the most significant social forces of the 20th century Purpose: To produce an international athletic festival Bring people together Promote world peace Educate the youth of the world

Modern Games: Athletes Meet and compete against athletes representing all colors, creeds, and political beliefs Establish communication and dialogue with fellow athletes Test themselves against the best athletes in the world

Modern Olympic Games Promote ideals of fair play Games promote ideals Character formation through participation Games promote ideals Peace, harmony, cooperation Transcend political barriers

Spirit of Olympism Viable social force Integral part of the modern Olympic Movement “Way of life based on the joy of effort and mutual respect” (Coubertin) Olympic Games are inclusive Promote peace and understanding throughout world

Spirit of Olympism Games are the world’s premier international sporting event Significant political and social events Balancing patriotism with internationalism Ongoing problem IOC committed to the spirit of Olympism

Architect of the Modern Olympic Games: Dr. William Penny Brookes Father of British Physical Education 1850 - the Wenlock Olympic Class made ceremony and pageantry an important feature of this event 1860 - known as Wenlock Olympian Society Worked with the Zappas family, J. Gennadius, and Pierre de Coubertin to revive Olympic Games in Greece

Architect of the Modern Olympic Games: Baron Pierre de Fredy de Coubertin Dedicated his life to educational reform: Focused on improving French pedagogy and revitalize the youth of France Games were a means to this end International travels influenced his plan Athletic competition would be the catalyst Promoted athletics throughout France and gained control over amateur sport

Baron Pierre de Coubertin Image source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

Reestablishing the Games June 23, 1894: Coubertin organized Sorbonne International Congress International Olympic Committee (IOC) formed during that Summer Coubertin elected IOC Secretary General; became IOC President after 1896 Games 1924 Olympic Games in Paris were Coubertin’s last as President

The Important Thing in the Olympic Games Is Not to Win but to Take Part Pierre De Coubertin

The 1st Olympiad: Athens, 1896 Preparation for the Games Construction of the stadium Money Legitimizing Olympic Games Participation in the Games Track and field, gymnastics, target shooting, and fencing matches 311 male athletes from 13 National Olympic Committees (NOC’s) William Sloane of Princeton University assembled and trained the American team American James Connolly won the first Olympic medal in triple jump

Athens, 1896 Olympic stadium in Athens, built for 1896 Games Image source: Photo © R. Mechikoff

The 2nd Olympiad: Paris, 1900 Governing body of French sport did not cooperate with IOC Official and unofficial Olympic events caused controversy 1319 athletes from 22 NOCs participated Female athletes made their first Olympic appearance in tennis and croquet First appearance: Golf, polo, rugby, cricket

The 3rd Olympiad: St. Louis, 1904 St. Louis wanted Games along with Louisiana Purchase Exposition Games were originally awarded to Chicago James Sullivan and Pres. Roosevelt changed Coubertin refused to attend Games were primarily American event 681 athletes from 12 NOCs participated, including the first Africans to compete in the Games American women: competed & won all archery events 1st and only time American football was an event Canada—gold; U.S.—silver

The 4th Olympiad: London, 1908 Games were held in conjunction with the Franco-British Exhibition 1,999 athletes from 22 NOCs participated 36 women from 4 countries competed Games became involved with political turmoil and nationalism Flag issues British advocacy of the creed of fair play versus American attempts to devise their own, more favorable scoring systems

The 5th Olympiad: Stockholm, 1912 Last Olympiad for Russia until 1952 Women's swimming, equestrian, modern pentathlon Olympic trials ensured best American athletes Hosted 2,490 athletes from 28 nations 57 women athletes represented 11 nations Competitors included Jim Thorpe, Douglas McArthur, George Patton, Avery Brundage

Stockholm, 1912 Members of the 1912 U.S. Olympic squad Image source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. Members of the 1912 U.S. Olympic squad; Jim Thorpe is wearing a turtleneck warm-up sweater

Stockholm, 1912 100-meter race from the 1912 Olympic Games, Stockholm Image source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 100-meter race, won by Ralph Craig of the United States

Stockholm 1912: Jim Thorpe Won both pentathlon and decathlon Accused of playing semipro baseball less than one year after Stockholm Thorpe admitted to playing baseball and being naïve about amateur rules Stripped of medals by USOC and IOC 1983: medals restored posthumously

The 7th Olympiad: Antwerp, 1920 Games initiated tradition of Olympic oath and five-ring Olympic flag Paavo Nurmi, distance runner from Finland, made Olympic history One of greatest distance runners of all time

Participation of Women Coubertin not in favor of women competing Mme. Millait established Federation Feminine Sportive Internationalle (FSFI) Organized First Women's Olympic Games 1922 1920 Olympiad - 27 women from 13 nations competed

The 8th Olympiad: Paris, 1924 2,956 athletes from 44 nations; 136 women athletes Paavo Nurmi won four gold medals Fights in the stands Booing during national anthems Friction between British and American teams caused distractions

1st Winter Olympics: Chamonix, 1924 Featured speed, figure skating, cross-country skiing, bobsledding, ice hockey 258 athletes from 16 nations competed; 13 women athletes

The 9th Olympiad: Amsterdam, 1928 2,724 athletes from 46 nations competed; 219 women athletes U.S. won 55 medals and Germany won 37

The 2nd Winter Olympics: St. Moritz, 1928 464 athletes competed from 25 nations; 26 women athletes Norway continued to dominate

Issue of Amateurism Important topic before 1932 Olympics In 1913, Jim Thorpe was stripped of his 1912 pentathlon and decathlon gold medals for playing one summer of semipro baseball IOC opposed outright payments to athletes Failed to define “compensation for loss of salary” Abuse of the amateur ideal Coubertin did not support an “amateurs only” rule

The 10th Olympiad: Los Angeles, 1932 The most grandiose athletic festival in modern history 1281 athletes from 37 nations Spirit of Olympicism and cooperation

Los Angeles, 1932 Stadium for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games Image source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

The 3rd Winter Olympics: Lake Placid, 1932 252 athletes competed from 17 nations First Winter Olympics held in U.S. Everyone would have to compete under American rules

The 11th Olympiad: Berlin, 1936 Politicians used Games for blatant political purposes Hitler tried to undermine ideal of Olympism Used games to send message of Nazi superiority American athletes threatened boycott Wanted Nazis to allow other races to compete

The 11th Olympiad: Berlin, 1936 Torch run was initiated in the opening ceremonies 3,738 athletes competed from 49 nations; 328 women athletes American Jesse Owens was a superstar Americans collected 56 medals

Berlin, 1936 Jesse Owens at the start of his winning 200-meter run, 1936 Olympic Games Image source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.

The 4th Winter Olympics: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 1936 668 athletes from 28 nations 80 women from 28 nations competed in figure skating and skiing

Olympic Interim Next Olympic Games not until 1948 Coubertin dies in 1936 Count Henri de Baillet Latour successor Dies suddenly J. Sifried Edstrom was elected IOC president during 1946 London meeting