What is Olympism?
Olympism can be defined into two basic components: the upholding of the spirit of the Games while competing and the promotion of that spirit and the Olympic ideals when the Games are over and everyone returns to their home country. Together these two parts help to keep the Olympic Games and the Olympic movement as the epitome of international sporting competitions.
“Citius. Altius. Fortius. It means Faster. Higher. Stronger. It’s been the motto for the Olympics for the last 2500 years. But it doesn’t mean faster, higher and stronger than who you are competing against. Just Faster. Higher. Stronger." -Bill Bowerman, Olympic Track and Field Coach 1972. This is the true spirit of the games. It is the reason that every competitor, whether they are leading the race or limping along in last place, will finish the race no matter what. It is also why athletes give everything they have and then some to try and bring a medal home to their country. It encompasses the pride that every athlete has in his or her abilities, the passion they have for their sport of choice, their determination to see everything through, and their willingness to sacrifice themselves, both mentally and physically, in order to have the chance to be successful. By doing this on the track the athletes themselves promote that spirit and, in doing so, promote Olympism to the world.
The other aspect of Olympism is the spreading of the Olympic ideals and spirit to each country by its athletes, coaches, and administrators upon their return from the Games. The Olympic movement and Olympism is only successful if these ambassadors of the Games are able to implement and promote the ideals and behaviors that they exhibit at the Games, at home as well. This includes teaching young athletes the importance of hard work and dedication over cheating as well as the ideal that winning is important, but winning in a fair and respectable manner is even more important. In doing so, these ambassadors will be able to continue to spread the Olympism and the Olympic message to all corners of the globe as well as raise a generation that values fair play and respect in sports along with all other aspects of their lives.
“Citius. Altius. Fortius. It means Faster. Higher. Stronger. It’s been the motto for the Olympics for the last 2500 years. But it doesn’t mean faster, higher and stronger than who you are competing against. Just Faster. Higher. Stronger." -Bill Bowerman, Olympic Track and Field Coach 1972. This is the true spirit of the games. It is the reason that every competitor, whether they are leading the race or limping along in last place, will finish the race no matter what. It is also why athletes give everything they have and then some to try and bring a medal home to their country. It encompasses the pride that every athlete has in his or her abilities, the passion they have for their sport of choice, their determination to see everything through, and their willingness to sacrifice themselves, both mentally and physically, in order to have the chance to be successful. By doing this on the track the athletes themselves promote that spirit and, in doing so, promote Olympism to the world.
The other aspect of Olympism is the spreading of the Olympic ideals and spirit to each country by its athletes, coaches, and administrators upon their return from the Games. The Olympic movement and Olympism is only successful if these ambassadors of the Games are able to implement and promote the ideals and behaviors that they exhibit at the Games, at home as well. This includes teaching young athletes the importance of hard work and dedication over cheating as well as the ideal that winning is important, but winning in a fair and respectable manner is even more important. In doing so, these ambassadors will be able to continue to spread the Olympism and the Olympic message to all corners of the globe as well as raise a generation that values fair play and respect in sports along with all other aspects of their lives.