The Olympics are a celebration centered around sporting talent recognized around the world.
The origins of the game date back to Olympia, Greece, in 776 BC. They began as a tribute to the gods, specifically Zeus, the king of the gods and the Greek god of thunder and lightning.
The games grew in popularity and attracted athletes from all over Greece. Leaders of the different city-states agreed to the “Olympic Truce,” allowing spectators and athletes to attend the Olympics without the threat of war during their travels.
Everyone from peasants to royalty could compete in the Olympics, except women. As the years passed, the Greeks also began to honor Zeus' wife Hera, and women were finally allowed to participate in the games.
Events included everything from foot races to javelin throws to chariot races. Athletes competed naked and heavily oiled. Professional musicians played a big role in the matches, adding to the excitement of the tournament.
The winners of the ancient Olympics were presented with wreaths made of olive leaves, following the myth of Hercules when he ran in the first Olympian race. This year's Olympic athletes will be awarded medals depicting Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, as well as the Eiffel Tower and the Acropolis of Athens, symbols of the origins of the Olympic Games.
The game evolved into what we know today in 1896, when the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece. Although events and regulations have adapted to meet the expectations of modern society, athletes must continue to adhere to certain standards.
There will be 905 women and 905 men participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to the Olympics, athletes will qualify for “50% of the spots based on the achievement of participation criteria in the event during the qualifying period and the remaining 50% based on the World Athletics Rankings during the ranking period.” .
Athletes compete in the games and aim to earn the honor of becoming Olympic champions. Being an Olympian means being one of, if not the greatest, athletes in your category and generation.
“If you're a gold medal Olympian, it's one of the greatest, craziest sports cultures on the planet,” said Roman Marchetti, a sophomore football player at the University of Southern California. “I would say it’s definitely the norm in most of their sports.”
This summer's Olympics are expected to draw around 10 million spectators to more than 750 events. During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, 3.05 billion people around the world streamed the event coverage from his platform. It was watched by 15.6 million people in the US alone.
People grow through competition, whether they are competing themselves or as spectators. It is human nature to want to be the best. But the Olympics may be more than just a sporting event.
People are drawn to sports because of the competitive appeal. People thrive on rivalries, whether they're athletes competing or fans watching. It is human nature to want to be the best and be on top.
“If people can't express it, [competitive drive] They're finding other avenues for themselves through athletics,” said Thomas Johnson, sports editor at the University of Southern California. “Watching other people compete in track and field is a primary tool used by people from all walks of life.” [because] It's a way for people to project what they can't do. ”
Today, sports play a wide-ranging role in the daily lives of most Americans. Fans participate in games in a variety of ways, from attending games to hosting watch parties to playing in fantasy leagues.
While the majority of popular sports such as soccer, basketball, and hockey are all team-based, Olympic athletes are evaluated primarily on their individual performance. “[As an Olympian], you represent the country. “When you win the Super Bowl, you're representing your team and your fan base,” Marchetti said.
Despite their differences, both athletic cultures adhere to certain standards and are under pressure to perform.
Although the ideals of the sporting world have changed over the years, their core remains the same. As people respect and idolize athletes, they are put on a pedestal. They are expected to perform above and beyond, and if they fail to do so, they could be disappointing thousands or even millions of fans.
Athletes must be the best because they inspire others. Some fans have unlimited potential. Some use athletes to build connections with other fans.
University of Southern California journalism professor Alan Abrahamson has covered every Olympic Games, both winter and summer, since the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia. He has worked with greats such as Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, and Katie Ledecky, as well as people who don't get much attention in the media, such as the two boys from Liberia who participated in the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore. I also met
“I have dreams and hopes for the Olympics,” he said. “I hope we can all live together in a peaceful world and be the best versions of ourselves.”
To this day, the Olympics continue to have a prominent presence in society. They are not only a testament to athleticism and greatness, but also a recognition of peace and unity between people from different parts of the world.
“As humans, we need water, and perhaps food…but we also need hope. Without water to sustain us and give us hope, there is no reason to continue” Abrahamson said. “That's why I love games. They're an ideal to aspire to in our fragile, broken world.”
This article is part of Annenberg Media's Olympic Newsletter.If you like the content please subscribe here!
