The Olympic Games are among the most popular and recognised global celebrations of sports and athleticism. Since their inception in ancient Greece, the Olympic Games have been a celebration of not only athleticism but also unity and perseverance.
The Olympic games we are all familiar with are the modern Olympic games which came about in the year 1896. From the time of its inception, not only global records have been broken but history has been made that has not only inspired millions of people worldwide but showcased the achievement of the human race. In this article, we are going to look at the five most significant events that have occurred which have defined the Olympic Games and contributed to its lasting and significant legacy.
The Revival of the Olympics in 1896
As we have mentioned earlier, the Olympic games started in ancient Greece but over the years this event stopped being held because of the Roman empire. It was only in 1896 that the Olympics started again after 1500 years.
The person that helped make this happen is Pierre de Coubertin. He wanted to foster international camaraderie and physical fitness through sports and bringing back the Olympics was a good way to kill two birds with one stone.
The very first modern Olympic games saw 14 nations compete. There were a total of 241 athletes and nine sports which included athletics, swimming and even gymnastics. The first modern Olympic games, although modest, created the foundation for what would eventually be one of the grandest sporting events internationally.
This Olympic event was held in Athens and the highlight of the sporting event was the marathon. This is inspired by one of Greece’s ancient legends of Pheidippides. Pheideppides was a Greek messenger and he ran from the battle of Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of victory. The winner of the Olympic marathon was a Greek water carrier named Spiridon Louis. He not only won the medal but became the national hero of his country while symbolising the cultural significance of the event. It not only increased national pride but also emphasised the roots of the game.
It comes as no surprise that the first ever modern Olympic games were a huge success and they proceeded to lay the foundation for all subsequent Olympic games. Now, the Olympic game hosts thousands of athletes from over 200 countries all over the world. The countries and their respective athletes not only compete in a wide variety of sports but they also embody the true sportsmanship that is only seen in the Olympics.
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Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
Another significant event of the Olympic games happened in 1936. The Olympic games this year were held in Berlin which was hosted by Nazi Germany. These Olympic games were held as political propaganda for the nazis and during this game, Adolf Hitler intended to introduce his vision of Aryan supremacy to the world. Therefore it came as no surprise that this Olympic game was heavily politicised and used as a platform for this idealogy.
One athlete who challenged the Nazi ideology was Jesse Owens. He was an African American track field athlete. He gave such a performance that he singlehandedly proved the nazis wrong. He impressively won four gold medals and became not only the star of the Olympic games but also an international icon.
The gold medals that Jesse Owens won not only defied Hitler’s propaganda but also acted as a statement against racial discrimination all over the world. His triumph came at a time when there was systematic racism and segregation in his home country, the United States and his winnings impacted and extended beyond the world of sports. It was a blow against fascist ideologies and remains a testament to the ideals of fairness and equality among all.
He remains an Olympic legend and his tale continues to inspire athletes all over the world. His story is also an advocate for social justice. Constantly reminding us of the power of sports and the courage to challenge prejudice and to unite people across divides.
The Black Power Salute in 1968
Another eventful and impactful Olympic game was the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. The reason why we say this game was eventful as well as impactful is because of the intersection this game had with social activism. It was during the medal ceremony of the 200-meter race, that the gold and the bronze medalist who were from America raised their fist in a black power salute. This happened when they were playing the American national anthem and it was a bold act to protest against racial inequality that the African Americans were going through in their country. Both athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, captured global attention and sparked significant controversy with their actions.
On top of the gesture, they wore black socks as well as no shoes during this. This is to symbolise the poverty that the African Americans were going through and it became a powerful visual statement. This highlighted the systematic injustices that not only the African Americans were going through but also the other marginalised groups in the country.
These athletes faced severe backlash for their courage to speak up. They were sent home from the games two days after the medal ceremony and were even ostracised when they returned home. Despite all of this, their act of defiance not only resonated with activists and advocates worldwide during that time but even today. It has solidified their place in the world and the history of social movements.
Even today, the black power salute remains one of the most iconic and historic moments in Olympic history. It not only symbolised the courage of its athletes but the determination of them to use their platform so boldly to advocate for change. Their actions sparked much-needed conversations about the role of sports in addressing not only political but also social issues.
Nadia Comăneci’s Perfect 10 in 1976
The 1976 Olympic Games held in Montreal had a groundbreaking moment in the gymnastics division of the games. In the first ever time an athlete scored the first perfect 10 in Olympic history. This feat was achieved by a 14-year-old Romanian athlete called Nadia Comăneci. Her performance on the uneven bars not only captivated the audience and the judge but also redefined the standards of gymnastics worldwide. Her feat earned her a perfect score and to add to the astonishment and drama of the moment, her scoreboard only showed a 1.00 as it was not able to show the perfect score of 10.00.
You might think that this is a groundbreaking moment but it is only one of seven. Yes, Nadia Comăneci went on to earn a whopping seven perfect scores during this game winning her three gold medals, one silver and one bronze. Nadia Comăneci’s achievements not only elevated this sport to a new height but also contributed to making gymnastics one of the most popular and watched events in the Olympic games. Unsurprisingly she became a global phenomenon and an inspiration to new and upcoming athletes all over the world.
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The Unification of North and South Korea in 2000
The last significant event we are going to look at came in the year 2000 during the Sydney Olympic event. During this event, there was a rare moment of political reconciliation between North and South Korea. During the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic event, the athletes from both the north and south Korea marched together. This gesture was a symbolic one. Representing the fact that both shared a desire for peace although both nations had a history of conflict. This captured and shocked the world as both walked hand in hand. While this was only temporary, it showed that the Olympics had a role and platform for unity and diplomacy between nations.
This Olympic event also had other significant moments where smaller nations made groundbreaking achievements, especially in women's sports.
When considering the most prestigious sporting event, the Olympic Games stand out. It not only unifies countries all over the world but also celebrates sportsmen globally. It defines determination and discipline.
With every medal won, there is an inspiring performance that comes from a background of training, guidance and passion. In this pursuit, Superprof plays a very important role in shaping future athletes and enthusiasts alike.
Superprof is an online platform that aims to bridge the gap between learners and experts. When it comes to coaches and personal trainers, Superprof has them. If you someone interested in sports, the coaches on Superprof have personalised coaching that is tailored to your needs and goals.
One of the best things about Superporf is its flexibility. It has options for online and in-person sessions. You can train with professionals from anywhere in the world and this fosters talent development without geographic boundaries. Check out Singapore’s Olympic Triumphs in Paris to find out about how Singaporean athletes performed in the 2024 Olympics.
If you are located in Singapore and are interested in sports, you can easily find a coach near you. We have a variety of coaches from sports such as badminton to swimming. All you will need to do is go to our platform, and type in the sports you are interested in learning and your location. From there, you will be able to view all the coaches near you.
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