Olympic Value Education PDF

# Unit 2: Olympic Value Education ## C.B.S.E. Syllabus After studying this chapter, students will be able to: - Olympism - Concept and Olympics Values (Excellence, Friendship and Respect) - Olympic Value Education - Joy of Effort, Fair Play, Respect for Others, Pursuit of Excellence, Balance Amon...

# Unit 2: Olympic Value Education ## C.B.S.E. Syllabus After studying this chapter, students will be able to: - Olympism - Concept and Olympics Values (Excellence, Friendship and Respect) - Olympic Value Education - Joy of Effort, Fair Play, Respect for Others, Pursuit of Excellence, Balance Among Body, Will & Mind - Ancient and Modern Olympics - Olympics - Symbols, Motto, Flag, Oath, and Anthem - Olympic Movement Structure - IOC, NOC, IFS, Other members ## 2.1 Introduction Olympic Games are the world's foremost sports competition in which more than 200 nations participate. To understand the Olympics in detail we first need to know about the history of Olympics and its journey since it started to what it is today. To learn about the history of Olympics, we have to divide the history into two phases, ie., ancient and modern Olympics. ## 2.2 Olympism - Concept and Olympics Values (Excellence, Friendship and Respect) ### Concept of Olympism The concept of Olympics was introduced almost 120 years ago by Pierre de Coubertin. Coubertin is also known as founder of Modern Olympic Movement. He believed that world could become a better place to live through sports, i.e., sports can play a very significant role in bringing communities together, stop war and promote healthy competition free from cheating and discrimination. He also believed that, sports can make the world a better place by encouraging friendship, togetherness and fair play. - Olympism is a philosophy of Olympic Games which is developed and endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). - Olympism promotes friendship, respect, fair play and sportsmanship through sports activities. - Olympism stands against discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion or nationality. - Olympism focuses on sports activities to promote peace and brotherhood. It emphasis on building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit. It also lays stress on mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. ### Significance/Importance of Olympism The main aim of Olympism is to show the world that how sports can make us better citizens through the combination of mind, body and spirit. - Olympism helps in fostering better relationships between different communities and nations of the world. - Olympism also helps us to live in harmony with each other. - It tells us that sports is a universal human right and we all should be free to practise it. - Olympism is the best way to show the world that we can better ourselves, oneself. - It uses sports for harmonious development of human kind, with a view to promote a peaceful society with preservation of human dignity. ### Achievements of Olympism - Since the establishment of International Olympic Committee on June 23, 1984, it is persistently promoting Olympism very effectively and efficiently around the world. - IOC is promoting the values of Olympism through the Olympic Games. It is promoting sports, culture, education and positive values in the modern world. - Olympism supports the rules of fair play. It is strictly against any unethical and illegal practices such as doping and match fixing which defame the image of sports. ### Olympics Values (Excellence, Friendship and Respect) The Olympic Games have established themselves as a global celebration of sport and peace. Through a combination of sport, culture and education, the Olympic Movement uses sport as a tool to promote fundamental ethical principles and support harmonious development for all. The three important core values of Olympism are-Excellence, Respect and Friendship. These values are the foundation on which the Olympic movement builds its activities to promote sports, culture and education to make a better world. A brief description of these values is given below : | Olympic Values | Description| |---|---| | Excellence | Excellence refers to best quality and perfection. In the field of games and sports, excellence refers to- giving your best on the field of play and also in your personal and professional life. Excellence is not necessarily to overcome the other, it is about giving your best in whatever you do and enjoy the healthy combination of a strong body, mind and will. | | Friendship| Friendship can be defined as a state of mutual trust, affection and respect between two or more people or nations. Olympics is one such event which provides many opportunities to develop friendship not only among participants but among the nations also. During the Olympics, participants and teams get close to one another and often become friends. Even the nations that have tense relations also come closer. In fact, Olympics encourage us to take sports as a tool to inspire people to overcome political, economical, gender, racial or religious differences. | | Respect |Respect includes for yourself and your body, for other people, for rules and regulations, for sports and for the environment. In the Olympic ideal, respect represents the ethical principle that should inspire all who participate in the Olympic programmes. Thus, it refers to the fair play that each sportsperson has to display in sports. It also refers to the fight against doping and other unethical behaviour.| ## 2.3 Olympism Value Education Other than three core values olympic movement also has following five educational values- | Olympism Value Education | Description | |---|---| | Joy of Effort | Every child must enjoy and have fun with sports and physical activities he/she is engaged in. If an individual, is forced to over-exert while playing he/she may develop bad memories. Therefore, sports activities should be promoted with appropriate opportunity to enjoy the energy and effort for postive outcomes. | | Fair Play | Fair play refers to playing by the rules. In sports, the concept of fair play can be reflected by shaking hands with the opponent at the end of the game, appreciating the opponent's extraordinary performance etc. Learning fair play behaviour in sport leads to the development of similar behaviour in one's everyday life and is reflected in his/her behaviour towards others. | | Respect for Others | Today, we all live a multicultural world where we have to respect diversity and appreciate the worth of all peoples and all cultures, irrespective of race, age, gender and ability. This acceptance can be achieved through sport, because a sports team may consist of people from different cultures, all focussed on one goal,thatis, victory for the team. Understanding and acceptance of difference develops when people live, work and play together. | | Pursuit of Excellence | In today's competitive world, every one of us wants to become the best. Sports provide an opportunity to individuals to become the best by making healthy and better choices. Participation in sports also sharpens skills of a person which helps a person to perform better in all spheres of life. | | Balance Between Body, Will and Mind | To participate and excell in any sport a person has to learn and practise various skills, remember rules related to that game. During this learning process not just the mind but whole body gets involved in the process along with the will of the person to learn. Therefore we can say that 'sport is a medium of balancing body, will and mind.'| ## 2.4 Ancient and Modern Olympics ### Ancient Olympics The ancient Olympic Games were organized in honour of Zeus, the ruler of Greek gods and goddesses, as a part of a religious festival. - Olympic Games or Olympics get their name from Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece or Olympia, a town in Elis in ancient Greece. - The festival and games began in 776 BCE at Olympia where the only event was the foot race. Later, sprints wearing full armour, and longer races, were added. Chariot racing and combat sports such as box in gandwrestling were soon regular features too. - The participants were only male citizens of different city states within Greece. - All participants had to receive 10-month training prior to the Olympic Games. - Women were not allowed to participate in the games. In fact, they were not even allowed to attend or witness the games. - The games were conducted every four years and the period between two games was known as Olympiad. - The month when the Olympic Games were held was considered a scared month and all disputes and wars would be stopped and peace would be declared to facilitate the movement of spectators and athletes. - During the games, no wars were permitted, no arms could be carried in the territory of Elis and no hindrance was to be given to any spectator, athlete or official travelling to the games wherever they came from and whichever territory they had to cross. - For the first 12 Olympics the stadium foot race was the only event and it remained the most prestigious event throughout the history of the Games. The race was run over one length of the stadium track. - Over time other events were added to the games to bring the total programme to 18 events spread over five days. - Sports which were included in the ancient Olympic Games included- foot race, chariot race, horse race, Pentathlon (running, long jump, discuss throw, javelin throw, and wrestling), boxing, wrestling, Pancratium etc. - Athletes were grouped by drawing lots to maintain the fairness of the events. - The eventual winner of the stadium race was given privilege to give his name to that particular games and so be remembered for all time. - Koroibos a Greek cook, baker and athlete from Elis, won the stadium race in the first recorded ancient Olympic games in 776 BCE. ### Rules of Ancient Olympics - Only Greeks were allowed to participate in these games. - It was essential for a player to take 10 months training before the games. - No professional could participate in these games. - In the initial stage, women were neither allowed to witness nor participate in these games. - The players should not have any criminal charge. ### Opening Ceremony of Games The opening ceremony of ancient Olympic Games started with assembly of the competitors, their coaches, their fathers, their brothers and the judges in the council house in front of the statue of Zeus to take the oath. - The competitors took an oath that they would not use unfair means and would participate in the games as per rules and regulations. - The Judges pledged that they would be fair and honest in the judgments during the games. - During the march past, the announcer/commentator announced the name, father's name and city of the competitor in public and asked whether anyone from the spectators had any kind of objection as regards to their eligibility. ### Awards In the ancient Olympics, athletes competed mostly for pride, patriotism and religious honour. - Some popular athletes were paid large sums of money, up to ten times the annual salary of a soldier, to participate in athletic contests. - The Olympic winners received a wreath made of a sacred olive tree branch. - Returning to his hometown, the athlete was welcomed as a hero and was given numerous advantages for the rest of his life. ### Decline of Ancient Olympic Games The Roman Emperor Theodosius I legally abolished the games in 393or 394 A.D. It was found that the games had lost their original values due to corruption, professionalism and foul play. ### Modern Olympics Games After the official closure of ancient Olympic games in 1503, Olympic games once again started in 1896 in Athens, Greece. - The credit to start these modern Olympic Games goes to Pierre Baron de Coubertin of France. Coubertin believed that most of the national and international problems could easily be solved through Games. - Coubertin called a meeting of various countries in 1893. Some countries such as, Italy, Greece, Spain and Sweden were in favour of commencing these games, whereas rest of the countries opposed it. Again on 16 June 1894, a meeting of 13 countries was held in Paris in which 75 representatives participated. It was presided over by Coubertin and it was resolved that "Sports competitions should be held every fourth year on the lines of Greek Olympic Games and every nation should be invited to participate." - After much endeavour, Coubertin succeeded in gaining worldwide support and the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. - Only nine countries participated in the first modern Olympic Games held in 1896 in Athens. This number gradually increased and in the 1972 Munich (West Germany) Olympic games, 122 countries participated. Three Olympics could not be held during the two World Wars. - The International Olympic Committee organizes these games and inspects or supervises the host city's preparations. - The tradition to award gold, silver and bronze medals was started in 1904 Olympics which were held in St. Louis (USA). - In 1900, at the Paris Summer Olympic Games, women were allowed first time to participate in Olympics. - USA has hosted four Olympic games so far. Great Britain has hosted three Olympic Games all in London. Athens, Paris, Lost Angels and Tokyo have hosted two Olympic Games each. - Three Asian countries ie., Japan (in 1964), South Korea (in 1988) and China (in 2008) have hosted Olympic games. - Australia has hosted two Olympics, i.e., in 1956 and 2000. - In 1916, 1940 and 1944 the Summer Olympics were not held due to World War. - In 1952, at the Helsinki Summer Olympics, the USSR team participated for the first time and became one of the dominant teams. - The Tokyo Olympics in 1964, were the first to be broadcast worldwide on television. - In 1972, at the Munich Summer Olympics, there was a terrorist attack in which terrorists killed 11 Israeli players. - In 1980, the Moscow Olympics were boycotted by USA, West Germany and Japan. In response, Lost Angeles Olympics were boycotted by USSR and its allied countries including Romania. - The 2008 Beijing Olympics (China), In these Games, American swimmer Michael Phelps set a record by winning 8 Gold Medals at a single Olympics. - The Olympic games scheduled to be held in Tokyo (Japan) in the year 2020 were postponed due to worldwide outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic were later organised in 2021 in Tokyo. - At the 1921 Olympic Congress in Lausanne, it was decided to hold a winter version of the Olympic Games. - The 1924 Olympics in Chamonix were the first Winter Olympic Games. ## 2.5 Olympics (Symbols, Motto, Flag, Oath and Anthem) ### Olympic Symbol The Olympic symbol is five interlocked rings of equal proportions of five different colours. The colour sequence of the rings from left to right is-blue, yellow, black, green and red, where blue, black and red rings are placed at the top, the yellow and green rings are placed at the bottom. The five rings reflect the union of the five continents namely-North and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe and this is a symbol of the unity of sportspersons from all continents at Olympic Games. Many people relate the colour of rings with certain continent, but this is not true because Pierre de Coubertin (who decided these colours) never said or wrote that the colours of the rings were linked with different continents. So, it is merely a misconception to say that each of the colours relates to a certain continent. ### Olympic Motto The Olympic motto consists of three Latin words- "Citius - Altius - Fortius" which means "Faster-Higher-Stronger" respectively. Olympic motto expresses the aspirations of the Olympic Movement. It was proposed by Pierre de Coubertin upon the creation of the International Olympic Committee in 1894. ### Olympic Flag The Olympic flag was created by Baron Coubertin in 1913 and was released in 1914. The flag has a white background without any border and the Olympic symbol of the five interlocked rings is placed in the centre of the flag. In the words of Pierre de Coubertin, "The Olympic flag has a white background, with five interlaced rings in the centre-blue, yellow, black, green and red. This design is symbolic as it represents the five continents of the world, united by Olympism. The six colours that appear on the olympic flag are those out which atleast one colour appears on the national flags of every member nation. The Olympic flag was hoisted for the first time in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium. ### Olympic Oath The Olympic Oath is taken by one athlete and one judge from the host nation, during the Opening Ceremony, on behalf of all the competitors and judges. Since 1984, this has been taken while holding a corner of the Olympic flag. Before that, the national flag of the host nation was used. The oath was first taken by an athlete Victor Boin in 1920 at Antwerp, Belgium. Originally, this was primarily a declaration that all the athletes were amateurs. The wordings since then has been revised over the years and in 2000, a specific reference to doping was added. Olympic Oath is usually said in the language of the host country. The Official's oath was introduced in 1972 and the coach's oath was added in 2010. It is a promise made by an athlete, judge or official. **The Current Olympic Oath** "In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams." ### Olympic Anthem "Immortal spirit of antiquity, Father of the true, beautiful and good, Descend, appear, shed over us thy light Upon this ground and under this sky Which has first witnessed thy unperishable fame Give life and animation to those noble games! Throw wreaths of fadeless flowers to the victors In the race and in the strife! Create in our breasts, hearts of steel! In the light, plains, mountains and seas Shine in a roseate hue and form a vast temple To which all nations throng to adore thee, Oh immortal spirit of antiquity!" The Olympic anthem was written by Greek poet, Kostis Palamas and composed by Spiros Samaras in 1896. It was adopted by International Olympic Committee in 1958. The Olympic anthem is played at the opening and closing ceremonies of all Olympic Games and during all official IOC ceremonies. The national anthem of the first place winner is played as each medalist's national flag is raised. ## 2.6 Olympic Movement Structure- IOC, NOC, IFS, Other Members The Olympic Movement is a network of various sports organisations and committees which play a crucial role in organising and administrating sports events worldwide. A brief description of these organisations is given below: - **Main Pillars** (IOC, NOCs and IFS) - **Other Members** (OCOGs, Athletics, Officials and Recognised Institutions ) The three main constituents of the Olympic Movement are: - The International Olympic Committee (IOC), - The National Olympic Committees (NOCs). - The International Sports Federations (IFs), In addition to its three main constituents, the Olympic Movement also encompasses- - Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGs), - National associations, clubs and persons belonging to the IFs and NOCS. - Organisations and institutions recognised by the IOC. ### 1. International Olympic Committee (IOC) IOC is the supreme authority to spread Olympic movement worldwide through ISF, National Olympic Committees, Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, United Nations etc. It reserves the right on Olympic Games, the symbols and other elements which are related with the Olympic Movement. IOC is a Swiss non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre, Baron de Coubertin, on 23 June 1894 with Greek Demetrios Vikelas as its first president. Today its membership consists of 100 active members, 33 honorary members, and I honor member. English and French are the official languages of the IOC. The IOC organizes the modern Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games, held in summer and winter, after every four years. The first summer game organized by the IOC was held in Athens, Greece, in 1896; the first Olympics were in Chamonix, France, in 1924. Until 1992, both summer and winter Olympics were held in the same year. After that year, however the IOC shifted the Winter Olympics to the even years between Summer Games, to help space the planning of the two events two years apart from one another, and improve the financial balance of the 1OC, which receives greater income on Olympic years. The headquarter of IOC is Olympic as Lausanne (Switzerland). ### Mission of IOC - To promote olympism throughout the world. - To lead the olympic movement. ### Governing Council of IOC The IOC consists of members from the various countries, which constitutes president, vice presidents, executive board and secretary general. A brief description of these members is mentioned below. - **President:** The president of IOC is elected by its members. The president is elected for a term of eight years. After the expiry of his term, he/she can be re-elected. The current IOC president is Thomas Bach. - **Vice-Presidents** : In the IOC, four vice-presidents are elected. These officials are also elected by members of the committee. They are elected for a term of four years. They can be reappointed if members of the committee desire so. - **Executive Board**: The IOC Executive Board consists of the president, four vice-presidents and ten other members. All the members of the IOC Executive Board are elected by the IOC session (all the members of IOC from various countries) in a secrset ballot, by a majority of vote cast. The IOC executive board assumes the general overall responsibility for the administration of the IOC and the management of its affairs. ### Functions/Role of International Olympic Committee The role of IOC is- - to encourage ethics and edhe organisation for deeshoport in the spirit of fair play without any violence. - To encourage and liar celebration of the Olympic Galopment of sport and sports competour an - To ensure the regular - To strengthen the Olympic movemention afecting the dependence and to preserve the autonomy of sport. - To act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic movement. - To encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels to implement the principle of equality of men and women. - To protect the integrity of sport, by leading the fight against doping and corruption. - To encourage and support measures relating to the medical care and health of athletes. - To oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes. - To encourage and support the efforts for future of athletes and development of sport for all. - To encourage and support environmental issues and promote sustainable development in sports. - To encourage and support initiatives blending sport with culture and education ### 2. National Olympic Committees (NOCs) National Olympic Committees (NOCs) are the national body of a country which looks after Olympic activities in their respective country under the guidance and directions of IOC. At present there are 206 National Olympic Committees in the world recognised by the IOC. National Olympic Committee member countries are only eligible to enter the Olympic Games. NOC member countries can participate in both The IOC organises summer Olympic Games and winter Olympic Games in which all the IOC recognised NOCs can participate. Each continent also organises its own championships for their members. National Olympic committee (NOC) is a unit at national level of Olympic movement. ### National Olympic Committee of India In India, The Indian Olympic Association act as NOC. It was founded by Sir Dorabji Tata as President and Dr A.G. Noehren as Secretary General in 1927. In the same year the association was recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The main objective of the association is to promote and develop Olympic movement in India. In 1947, IOA gave the responsibility of selection and training to the National Sports Federations. IOA is the governing body for the Olympic Movement and the Commonwealth Games in India and is recognized by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The IOA is responsible for sending athletes or teams to represent India in the Olympic Games, Common wealth Games, Asian Games and other international multi-sport competitions of IOC and CGF. The members of the IOA include: - National Sports Federations whose sport is included in Summer and Winter Olympic Games. - National Sports Federations whose sport is included in Asian and/or Common wealth Games. - Indian citizens who are member's of the International Olympic Committee. - Two (one male and one female) active athletes or retired athletes having taking part in the Olympic Games. - State and Union Territories' Olympic Associations. - Services Sports Control Board. - The National Federation of the Indian game Kho-Kho. ### Functions of NOC's - Responsible for activities related to development of sports in their respective county. - Responsible for sending delegation of athletes to the Olympic Games and in Youth Olympic Games. - Work for the promotion and encouragement of the values of the Olympic movement within its boundaries. - Send their officials for Olympic Games. - Make efforts to stop doping in sports by adopting world anti-doping code. - Encourage and support initiatives to blend sports with culture and education. - Encourage and support, sports organisations and public authorities efforts for social and professional future of athletes. - Take action against any form of discrimination and violence in sports. ### 3. International Sports Federations (IFS) The International Sports Federations are international non-governmental organizations which are recognised by the International Olympic Committee to administer any particular sports at world level. These IFS monitor the everyday administration of their sports and ensure the regular organisation of competitions and respect for the rules of fair play. The International Federations of Sports establish the rules that govern their sports and ensure that they are applied. They are also responsible for the technical aspects of their sports at the Olympic Games. There are various IFS such as International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), Federation de Football International (FIFA), Federation de Basketball Amateur (FIBA) Almost all International Sports Federations function according to norms and guidelines which conforms with the Olympic Charter, such as- - They must have an anti-doping policy. - They must stage regular world and continental championships. - They must be committed to youth development. - They must have independent governance structures. - They must assume the responsibility for the control and direction of their sports at the Olympic Games. ### Responsibilities of International Sports Federations - Responsible for establishing and enforcing the rules of the respective sports and to insure their application. - To work for the development of their sports worldwide and implement world anti-doping code. - To manage and to monitor the everyday running of their respective sport at the international platform. - To supervise the development of athletes practicing these sports at every level. - To organise national and international level competitions of their sport and ensure fair play. ### 4. The Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOGS) The Organising Committees for the Olympic Games are responsible for the practical Organisation of the Games. - From the moment when the city is selected to host the Games, Organising Committees begin to make all the necessary arrangements. - Organising Committee is responsible to finalise competition venues, stadiums, training halls and Olympic village. - It is also responsible for providing all the infrastructure required to host the games. - OCOGs also work closely with IFS to ensure smooth functioning of games. - It is also responsible for providing efficient transport system and medical services to everyone participating in the event. - It is also responsible for organising cultural programmes, concerts, plays, ballets and exhibitions during the Olympic Games. - An Olympic flag of larger dimension must fly for the entire duration of Olympic Games in the main stadium and in other venues is placed under the responsibility of the OCOG. - It is also responsible for bringing the Olympic flame to the Olympic stadium. - After the completion of the games, the main task of the OCOG is to compile the official report of the Games. ### 5. Athletes, Officials and Recognised Institutions In addition to its three main constituents, the Olympic Movement also encompasses the Organising Committees of the Olympic Games (OCOGs), the national associations, clubs and persons belonging to the IFs and NOCs, particularly the athletes, judges, referees, coaches and the other sports officials and technicians. It also includes other organisations and institutions as recognised by the IOC.