In 1896, the very first modern Olympic games took place in Athens. These games brought together 241 athletes representing 14 nations. Since this revival of this ancient Greek religious festival, the games have grown into a massive international organization and an event that brings the entire world together. The summer games currently underway in Rio de Janeiro have representation from over 200 National Olympic committees, which are represented by over 11,000 athletes. This international institution is a monolithic showcase of globalization’s machinations.
The games in Rio, like many of its’ predecessors, have been marred by many controversies. These unfortunate complications showcase that the Olympic institution, like many international endeavors, is something that needs major critique and reinvention. The Brazilian games, in the last several months, have faced the possibility of unfinished venues, the arrival of the Zika virus, the collapse of the presidency, ongoing conflict between police and the favelas over drug trafficking and crime, and as always, the ballooning costs that it takes to put on the such a massive event.
Back in 2009, when Brazil was awarded the games, the country was in a very different economic situation. It was a growing economic power that wanted to showcase its’ arrival onto the international stage, but an economic slow down has made these summer games a complicated debacle. Of course there are many wonderful journalistic and academic works on these issues if you want delve deeper into any of the above-mentioned topics. Now that some of the negative and valid critiques are out of the way, lets discuss some positive things about the Olympics and the Rio games.
To begin, we of course need to discuss the historic nature of these games. For the first time in Olympic history, the games are being held in South America. This makes Brazil the forth country in the western hemisphere to host an Olympic games after the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Brazil and South America deserve the moment to be at the center of the global stage. Despite the economic slowdown, Brazil is still one of the most dynamic and powerful economies in the world. They are a voice that needs to be a part the global dialogue, and the Olympic stage is a perfect place to showcase their importance to international community. Brazil used their global platform in the opening ceremonies to speak about global climate change, which is one of the first times that this issue has had such a massive international audience. It is truly fitting that the first South American games, home of the Amazon rain forest, would speak so boldly about an issue that will shape the coming century in such vast ways.
The opening ceremonies are one of the most crucial parts of the games. It is an opportunity for the athletes and their home nations to be seen by the world. The parade of nations is a wonderful moment where we can see a brief glimpse of so many cultures and peoples. Kosovo and South Sudan made their Olympic debuts as newly minted nations, and for the very first time the refugees of the world were given their own place among the many nations competing. Five athletes from the on going Sudanese conflict, two from Syria, two from the Congo, and an athlete from Ethiopia make up the delegation of ten athletes that represent over 65 million displaced peoples around the world.
The Olympic Games are a messy international institution with a complicated past. It is an institution that will need constant critique and reform as we move forward, but I believe that it is a greatly needed venue that brings humanity together to compete as friends with common aspirations and goals.
