https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye have the olympics always been political? en-us 2022-02-21 07:35:01 UTC 2025-11-20 05:30:08 UTC hello@padlet.com palakguleria https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058278585 When I began researching the history of politics and the Olympics, it only made complete sense to start in the very beginning, with the ancient form of the Olympics. I didn't want to restrict myself to the modern games, because I wouldn't be fully answering the question. Throughout this source, I learned about historical events that muddied the simplicity of these events. This included announcements of treaties, banishment of key figures, and game manipulation (thanks Alexander). It is evident that, similar to modern day, international relationships (although they were limited to a particular part of the world) were crucial in successfully running the games. Relationships among Greece, Rome, and even Egypt greatly affected how the games would turn out, like who would compete and who was even able to watch.]]> 2022-02-21 07:42:45 UTC https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058278585 palakguleria https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058285862 When the question of Olympic history is asked, the obvious answer is always the example of WW2. WW2 was an unknown time for the entire world, and the Olympics, being one of the only major, international events that isn't for the main purpose of politics, was a prime target for spreading propaganda and 'flexing' a nation's strength. This is exactly what Germany intended to accomplish in the 1936 games that were held in Berlin. During this era, Nazi's were gaining power, and Hitler famously wanted to use the games to test his theory of racial superiority in sports. In a well-known feat, black athlete Jesse Owens took home 4 gold medals for the United States proving him wrong. Interestingly, during my read of the article, I learned that the Indian field hockey team also defeated the German team in a stunning 8-1 game.]]> 2022-02-21 07:48:04 UTC https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058285862 palakguleria https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058292658 In one of my articles, I discussed how the 1936 Nazi sponsored Olympic games was a time to prove racial theories wrong. But further down the timeline, the games were cancelled in lieu of rising tensions and the beginnings of World War II. When the games came back, there was great controversy over the decision of host city London to ban Japan and Germany from competing. This article briefly extended upon this situation, and also provided some context behind this decisions. Obviously the Axis' power to completely bomb and destroy this European city contributed largely to their lack of attendance.]]> 2022-02-21 07:53:02 UTC https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058292658 palakguleria https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058297585 When reading this article, it truly felt like the Olympic games during the Cold War were actually like war games, without the violent shooting and bombing. Each nation utilized the Olympic games to display their power, making the game into a tactic to scare the opponents off. It was definitely not the friendly sportsmanship we see in today's games. Originally, following the Bolshevik Rebellion, soviets did not believe in participating in the Olympics. They believed in was a capitalist and western game and did not want to foster that kind of event. However, following political shifts in the 50s, this mindset changed. Now they wanted to participate as a political gambit.]]> 2022-02-21 07:56:37 UTC https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058297585 palakguleria https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058304308 Reading this article shed light on a double standard in today's Olympian politics. Richardson, a iconic track athlete who tested positive for marijuana, noticed a double standard when she was barred from competing while Russian figure skated Kamila Valieva was allowed to compete even after testing positive for performance increasing drugs. As the article stated, the drugs found in Valieva are known to better performance, while the THC in Richardson's system are not. It is definitely unfair, and to me, feels like there are racial undertones. I think there needs to be more clarity on the situation on behalf of the Olympics council. Valieva's drugs could have helped her team win the gold medal, whereas Richardson's would have only negatively impacted her performance.]]> 2022-02-21 08:01:06 UTC https://padlet.com/palakguleria/re2qbycp6cwnzaye/wish/2058304308