The Olympics are inherently political
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach, that the Olympics “are not about politics” is not only false but also shows a lack of understanding of the historical significance of the Games.
From the very beginning, the Olympics have been a platform for countries to promote their politics and agendas. In ancient Greece, the Games were used as a means of showing off a city-state’s strength and superiority over others. Similarly, in modern times, the Olympics have been used as a tool for political propaganda, diplomacy, and even protest.
One need not look far to see examples of politics in the Olympics. In 1936, Nazi Germany used the Games as a way of showcasing its political ideology and demonstrating its supposed racial superiority. The Berlin Olympics were a clear example of how politics and sport are intertwined, with the Nazis using the Games as a way of legitimizing their regime and promoting their fascist agenda.
Similarly, in 1968, the Black Power salute by US athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos was a political statement made on the Olympic stage. It was a protest against racial injustice and a call for greater civil rights for Black Americans. Their act of protest was a clear example of how politics and sport are inextricably linked.
Even in recent times, we have seen politics play a role in the Olympics. The 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, were seen as a diplomatic breakthrough, with North Korea sending a delegation to participate in the Games. The move was seen as a significant step towards reducing tensions between the two Koreas, and it demonstrated how sport can be used as a tool for diplomacy.
It is clear that the IOC’s stance that “the Olympics are not about politics” is false and not anchored in history or reality. The Olympics have always been a platform for countries to showcase their politics and agendas, and attempts to separate the two are misguided and naïve.
