Olympic Movement Part 4

 

Olympic Movement Part 4, In this we will learn about Special Olympics, Olympic Symbol or Emblem

Special Olympics

1. Special Olympics were started by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of John F. Kennedy, the former president of USA.

2. In fact, she believed that with equal opportunities and experiences as anyone else, people with special needs could compete far more than ever thought possible.

3. She was convinced that children with intellectual disabilities could be exceptional athletes/sportspersons and that through sports they can realise their potential for growth and development.

4. She invested a lot of efforts to start these games. Owing to her efforts, the first Special Olympics were held in July 1968 in Chicago.

Symbol

1. The Special Olympics logo is based on the sculpture “Joy and Happiness to All the Children of the World”.

2. The logo is a symbol of growth, confidence and joy among children and adults with disabilities who are learning coordination, mastering skills, participating in competitions and preparing themselves for richer and more productive lives.

Special Olympic Flame

1. The “Flame of Hope” is the name given to the torch that is carried to and lit at Special Olympic Games.

OLYMPIC SYMBOL, IDEALS, OBJECTIVES AND VALUES OF OLYMPISM

Olympic Symbol or Emblem

1. It comprises five interlinked rings or circles to represent the sporting friendship of all people.

2. The rings also symbolise the five continents, i.e., Africa, America, Asia, Australia and Europe.

3. Each ring is of a different colour, i.e., blue, yellow, black, green and red.

4. The colour of each ring was proposed by de Coubertin himself.

5. However, it is important to emphasise that Pierre de Coubertin never said or wrote that the colours of the rings were linked with different continents.

6. So, it is merely a misconception to say that each of the colours relates to a certain continent.

Olympic Motto

1. Olympic motto comprises three Latin words—Citius-Altius-Fortius which mean Faster-Higher-Stronger, respectively and coined by a French educator Father Didon in 1895

Olympic Ideals

1. Olympic Games are remembered for the Bishop Pennsylvania’s famous sermon, “The important thing in Olympics is not to win, but to take part.

2. The important thing in life is not the triumph, but struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

Objectives of Olympics

1. According to Coubertin, following objectives can be achieved through Olympic Games

2. To pay attention towards physical education and sports competitions in all the countries of the world.

3. To develop personality, character, citizenship qualities and health among the youths.

4. Formation of good habits among sportspersons so that they could lead a healthy and prosperous life.

5. To develop patriotism and fraternity among sportspersons.

6. To develop international fraternity and peace.

7. Not to have any discrimination on the basis of caste, race and religion.

Development of Values through Olympism the following values can be developed through Olympism

Friendship

1. The Olympism provides many opportunities to develop friendship not only among the participants but among the nations also.

2. When Olympic Games are held, the participants get close to one another. They become friends. The nations that have tense relations  also come closer.

Solidarity

1. The Olympism also provides ample opportunities to enhance solidarity.

2. It gives a feeling of brotherhood and unity among various nations. It creates cohesion among the participants as nations

Fair Play

1. Up to some extent, it can be said that Olympic Games enhance the chances of fair play. Fair play is based on justice.

2. There should be justice for each player as well as the team.

3. There should not be any favour or inclination towards a team. Rules and regulation must be applied fairly to each team.

4. But in fact, there is a big gap between words and actions of the officials. Nowadays every team wants to win by hook or by crook.

5. The slogans like ‘stay out for sports and stay out of courts’ and ‘live by code or get out’ have become useless as these are not followed in practice.

6. Therefore, it can be said that the Olympism in this respect is not as successful as it should have been.

Free from Discrimination

1. In the last objectives of modern Olympic Games, it is said that there will be no discrimination on the basis of caste, race and religion.

2. At such an event, there is no meaning of caste, race, religion or community. Though exceptions are always there.

3. It happened during 1972 Munich Olympic Games when 11 players of Israel were murdered ruthlessly.

4. Racial difference was seen during 1936 Berlin Olympics when Adolf Hitler refused to honour Jesse Owens, the African-American athlete who got four gold medals in that Olympic games.

5. About the values, such as friendship, solidarity, fair play and free from discrimination, it can be said that the Olympism plays a significant role in the development of these values.

If you want to read other parts of this chapter, kindly click below

Part 1                                           Part 2                                                     Part 3          

Olympic Symbol