Spotlight on the Olympics

by World Affairs Council Programs Team on August 12, 2016

Image via IOC

All eyes are on the Olympics this week — traditionally a time to set international politics aside in favor of good old-fashioned sporting rivalry. Rather than focus on the medal count or the nations with the most decorated athletes, we highlight just a few of these competitors and the nations they represent at the Olympic games in Rio de Janiero.

-Carla Thorson, Senior Vice President, Programs

“Kosovo finally wins an Olympic medal, Majlinda Kelmendi’s gold in judo”
 by Guy Delauney, BBC News, August 8, 2016

Majlinda Kelmendi from Kosovo won her first Olympic gold medal in judo on Sunday, a significant achievement for herself and the small country which declared independence from Serbia just eight years ago. She explained the importance of this win for Kosovo not only as a positive example for the country but a reflection of their strength and triumph from a war-torn past. The win is also an important marker of recognition on the global stage. Kosovo was accepted to the Olympics in 2014 and, as Deputy Foreign Minister Petrit Selimi noted, participation in international sporting events will encourage acceptance by other international sporting events and in turn, UN member states to recognize Kosovo as an independent nation.t nation.

“Refugee Olympic Team to Shine Spotlight On Worldwide Refugee Crisis”
by IOC Media Relations Team, Olympic.org, June 3, 2016

Ten refugee athletes whose origins span from Syria, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Democratic Republic of the Congo are competing in Rio this week as the first Refugee Olympic Team (ROT), drawing awareness to the ever-growing refugee crisis. The International Olympic Committee’s President Thomas Bach announced the team of refugees will offer hope to others fleeing conflict and show the world that despite tragedy, they are human beings first and valuable assets to society. National Olympic Committees were asked to identify top athletes to participate in the qualifiers based on a number of criteria. Of those identified, candidates were granted funding from Olympic Solidarity for all costs during the Olympics and support thereafter as part of a larger relief project with UNHCR and other United Nations agencies.

““Fiji PM announces public holiday after first Games medal”
by Jack Stubbs, Reuters, August 11, 2016

Fiji’s men’s Rugby sevens team won the country its first Olympic gold on Thursday in the sport’s first Olympic presence since 1924. The historic win for the well-decorated Fiji team prompted Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama to declare a third consecutive public holiday in the nation of just 900,000. Bainimarama told reporters the Rugby sevens team’s performance has led to celebrations across the country and will continue upon their return. With the inclusion of sports like the Rugby sevens event in the Olympics, Bainimarama noted, smaller nations now have a greater opportunity to stand out.

“North and South Korean Gymnasts Pose for Olympic Selfie
BBC News, August 9, 2016

Gymnasts Lee Eun-ju, 17, of South Korea and Hong Un-jong, 27, of North Korea posed for a selfie before the start of the Olympic games last weekend. While historic relations between the two nations — especially recently — prompted some on Twitter to question the gymnasts’ comradery. Others on the social media platform, including Eurasia Group’s President Ian Bremmer, recognized the significance of their photo and the potential of Olympic sportsmanship, deeming it “iconic.” In stark contrast, tensions followed Lebanese athletes to Rio when they refused to ride a bus with Israeli athletes and drug allegations by Australian gold medalist and swimmer Mack Horton towards Chinese defending champion Sun Yang, prompted Chinese managers to call for an apology.

What’s in the News — A weekly selection of topics, and perspectives on world issues from the programs team at the World Affairs.