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• The Olympic Games symbolize athletic excellence and international unity, exploring origins, and evolution.

Ancient Olympic Games

• Originated in Olympia, Greece, in 776 BCE.
• A religious festival in honor of Zeus.
• Competitions included running, wrestling, discus, and chariot racing.
• Emphasized physical prowess and religious devotion.
• Open only to free Greek men; women and non-Greeks were excluded.
• Declined during the Roman Empire, abolished in 393 AD by Emperor Theodosius I.

Kyniska of Sparta

• Kyniska (or Cynisca) was a Spartan princess.
• The first woman recorded won Olympic event in ancient Greece.
• Daughter of King Archidamus II of Sparta, belonging to the ruling Eurypontid dynasty.
• Kyniska won the tethrippon (four-horse chariot race) in the 396 BCE Olympic games.
• Repeated the victory in 392 BCE.
• Women were strictly prohibited from competing in/attending the Olympic Games.
• Horse/chariot owners declared winners rather than the drivers themselves.
• As a wealthy Spartan noblewoman, Kyniska bred/trained horses, which allowed her to claim victory.
• A bronze statue of her chariot and her was made in Olympia.

Significance of Kyniska's Victory

• Challenged gender barriers in ancient Greece.
• Spartan women had greater training and freedom.
• Society encouraged athleticism for both men and women.
• Sparta's unique cultural stance on female participation in physical activities was reflected.
• Some historians argue encouragement by Spartan elites.
• Proved aristocratic breeding/resources, rather than physical prowess alone, determined Olympic success.

Pierre de Coubertin's Motivation for Reviving the Olympic Games

• Promoted peace, international understanding, and physical education through sports.
• Believed the ancient Olympic Games brought people from different nations together.
• Fostered a spirit of camaraderie and friendly competition.
• Deeply influenced by the ideals of Greek civilization.
• Thought sports developed the body/mind.
• Counteracted moral decline/militaristic tendencies of society in the late 19th century.
• Created an international athletic competition to inspire individuals/nations, focus on shared human values.
• Strengthened French youth after the Franco-Prussian War.
• Saw sport as a way to "civilize" non-European populations.

Franco-Prussian War's Influence

• The Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) deeply influenced Coubertin's views.
• France's defeat due to failures.

Inspiration for Sport Education

• Coubertin found the most inspiration in England.
• Influenced by the British public school system.

Coubertin's Opinion on Women in the Olympic Games

• Strongly against women's participation.
• Believed the Olympics should be reserved for men.
• Eurocentric and racially exclusive viewpoint.

Contradictions in Coubertin's Vision of Olympism

• Olympism promoted universalism and internationalism.
• It was exclusionary based on race/gender in practice.

Early Olympism as a Political Tool

• Shaped by nationalistic/internationalist motives.
• Coubertin wanted to use sport to strengthen nations and promote international relations.

Evolution of Gender and Racial Inclusion

• Became more inclusive.
• Women were first allowed to compete in 1900, limited events.
• Female participation dramatically increased over time.
• Racial inclusion improved, with athletes from all continents competing.
• Paralympics and inclusion of sports from non-Western cultures reflect inclusivity.

Olympics as a Political Tool

• Used to promote national pride, like Nazi Germany's use of the 1936 Olympics.
• Served as a soft power tool to enhance global image.
• Reflected Cold War rivalries, with the U.S./USSR using the Games for political propaganda.
• Advanced human rights and social change, as seen in protests against racial segregation and gender discrimination.

The 1st Modern OG

• The modern Olympic games were received in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin.
• Took place in Athens featuring 14 nations and 241 athletes.

After the 1st Modern Olympic Games

• Olympic games were held in Paris, France, in 1900 as part of the exposition Universelle.
• The games in which women competed which lead to gender inclusion in the Olympic Games.
• 997 athletes participated, 22 of whom were women in tennis/golf.
• 1904 St Louis Olympic Games were part of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
• Showed a significant American Dominance (580/650 USA participants).
• Many European athletes couldn't participate due to distance/travel.
• 1906 International Games in Athens attempted Olympic reform.

Winter Olympic Games

• Many winter sports competitions held in parallel to Summer Olympics.
• Impossible to host them in warm-weather conditions.
• Winter sports like ice hockey, figure skating and skiing were growing in popularity.
• 1921, the committee decided to create a Winter Olympic Games.
• First Winter Olympic Games held in Chamonix, France, in 1924.
• Marked the official start of the Winter Olympic tradition.
• The event was a success leading to its continuation every 4 years.

Key Facts about first winter Olympics (1924 Chamonix)

• 200 athletes from 16 countries, 16 competitions in various winter sports. Ludwig Guttmann founded the Paralympic Games.

The role of Ludwing Guttmann in the Birth of the Paralympic Games

• Ludwing Guttmann was a German-Jewish neurologist.
• Guttmann became the director of Stoke Mandeville Hospital following Nazi Germany.
• Developed a rehabilitation program to integrate wounded soldiers into society, using sports.
• He observed patients playing with sticks, adapted sports for people with disabilities.
• Guttmann organized the first Stoke Mandeville Games (sporting event for wheelchair athletes) in 1948.
• It coincided with the opening of the London Olympic Games.
• Guttmann strongly advocated including people with disabilities in the sports movement, aiming the inclusion of diversity.