Table of Contents
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 Olympismthe 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. |
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