Changes

The '''Olympics''' are the most important world sporting event, involving many different sports and athletes from practically every nation, competing under their national flag.  The summer games have been held every four years since 1896. The host city is selected by the International Olympic Committee six or seven years beforehand.  The smaller-scale winter games are held every four years starting in 1924. Starting 1994, they come midway between the summer games.

The '''Olympics''' are the most important world sporting event, involving many different sports and athletes from practically every nation, competing under their national flag.  The summer games have been held every four years since 1896. The host city is selected by the International Olympic Committee six or seven years beforehand.  The smaller-scale winter games are held every four years starting in 1924. Starting 1994, they come midway between the summer games.

The games are a source of national pride and international equality and sportsmanship. They are a very expensive proposition, costing the host billions of dollars--partially defrayed by television and tourist revenues.  It is typical for strong local opposition to try to block a city from hosting the games.

The games are a source of national pride and international equality and sportsmanship. They are a very expensive proposition, costing the host billions of dollars--partially defrayed by television and tourist revenues.  It is typical for strong local opposition to try to block a city from hosting the games.

 

==Ancient  Greece==

==Ancient  Greece==

The next Winter Olympics will be in Vancouver, british Columbia, Canada, Feb 12-28, 2010.<ref> see [http://www.vancouver2010.com/ Official 2010 site]</ref>

The next Winter Olympics will be in Vancouver, british Columbia, Canada, Feb 12-28, 2010.<ref> see [http://www.vancouver2010.com/ Official 2010 site]</ref>

==Impact==

==Impact==

The impact of the Olympics as setting a world standard spread to the underdeveloped world.  The Committee for International Olympic Aid was founded by the developed nations in 1961 to help fund Third World countries so they could join the Olympic family. The National Olympic Committees of these new countries gained some measure of control over the development of sport on the international level and, in conjunction with individual international sports federations, shifted the overall balance of power within the International Olympic Committee (IOC).<ref> Ian Henry and Mansour Al-tauqi, "The Development of Olympic Solildarity: West and Non-west (Core and Periphery) Relations in the Olympic World," ''International Journal of the History of Sport'' 2008 25(3): 355-369 </ref>  

The impact of the Olympics as setting a world standard spread to the underdeveloped world.  The Committee for International Olympic Aid was founded by the developed nations in 1961 to help fund Third World countries so they could join the Olympic family. The National Olympic Committees of these new countries gained some measure of control over the development of sport on the international level and, in conjunction with individual international sports federations, shifted the overall balance of power within the International Olympic Committee (IOC).<ref> Ian Henry and Mansour Al-tauqi, "The Development of Olympic Solildarity: West and Non-west (Core and Periphery) Relations in the Olympic World," ''International Journal of the History of Sport'' 2008 25(3): 355-369 </ref>  

===Egypt===

===Egypt===

In the 1920s Egyptians of all classes were captivated by news of the Egyptian national football (soccer) team's performance in international competitions. Success or failure in the Olympic football tournaments of 1924 and 1928 was not just evaluated in terms of sport; rather, they were understood against the backdrop of Egyptian independence and a desire to be seen as modern by their European opponents. Moreover, it suggests that Egyptians also saw these competitions as a way to distinguish themselves from the premodernity of other African countries.<ref>Shaun Lopez, "Football as National Allegory: 'Al-ahram' and the Olympics in 1920s Egypt," ''History Compass'' 2009 7(1): 282-305 </ref>

In the 1920s Egyptians of all classes were captivated by news of the Egyptian national football (soccer) team's performance in international competitions. Success or failure in the Olympic football tournaments of 1924 and 1928 was not just evaluated in terms of sport; rather, they were understood against the backdrop of Egyptian independence and a desire to be seen as modern by their European opponents. Moreover, it suggests that Egyptians also saw these competitions as a way to distinguish themselves from the premodernity of other African countries.<ref>Shaun Lopez, "Football as National Allegory: 'Al-ahram' and the Olympics in 1920s Egypt," ''History Compass'' 2009 7(1): 282-305 </ref>

===China===

===China===

The impact on China was seen in China's participation in the 1932, 1936, and 1948 Olympics. The idea of 'tiyu' (physical education and/or sports) was introduced into China at the turn of 20th century, but from early on, its advocates saw it as a way to strengthen one's body and to get rid of the humiliating label of "Sick Man of Asia," a derogatory term imposed on the Chinese by foreign powers. In response, a desire to save face and free China from foreign control and to gain an equal place in the world led the Nationalist government to seize the opportunity to promote modern sports and physical education. [[Chiang Kai-shek]] and the [[KMT]] leadership  realized that 'tiyu' was not only a vehicle by which they could strengthen the sense of nationalism but also one by which they could promote an international presence. China implemented a number of measures, ranging from improving physical education, establishing official institutions, to promoting a 'war-like spirit' among citizens. 'Tiyu' also became part of Chiang Kai-shek's "New Life Movement," a nation-building effort to create modern citizens. The article concentrates on how sports became a venue in which China tried to engage the outside world. China's participation in the three Olympic Games before 1949, in spite of its negligible impact on sports per se, demonstrated China's motivation to use sports to win international recognition and to renew nationalism at home.  The same spirit, now backed by an economically powerful nation, motivated China in 2008.<ref> Guoqi Xu, "Sports in China's Internationalization and National Representation: China's Participation in 1932, 1936 and 1948 Olympic Games," ''Chinese Historical Review'' 2008 15(1): 1-24; Guoqi Xu, ''Olympic Dreams: China and Sports, 1895-2008'' (2008). </ref>  

The impact on China was seen in China's participation in the 1932, 1936, and 1948 Olympics. The idea of 'tiyu' (physical education and/or sports) was introduced into China at the turn of 20th century, but from early on, its advocates saw it as a way to strengthen one's body and to get rid of the humiliating label of "Sick Man of Asia," a derogatory term imposed on the Chinese by foreign powers. In response, a desire to save face and free China from foreign control and to gain an equal place in the world led the Nationalist government to seize the opportunity to promote modern sports and physical education. [[Chiang Kai-shek]] and the [[KMT]] leadership  realized that 'tiyu' was not only a vehicle by which they could strengthen the sense of nationalism but also one by which they could promote an international presence. China implemented a number of measures, ranging from improving physical education, establishing official institutions, to promoting a 'war-like spirit' among citizens. 'Tiyu' also became part of Chiang Kai-shek's "New Life Movement," a nation-building effort to create modern citizens. The article concentrates on how sports became a venue in which China tried to engage the outside world. China's participation in the three Olympic Games before 1949, in spite of its negligible impact on sports per se, demonstrated China's motivation to use sports to win international recognition and to renew nationalism at home.  The same spirit, now backed by an economically powerful nation, motivated China in 2008.<ref> Guoqi Xu, "Sports in China's Internationalization and National Representation: China's Participation in 1932, 1936 and 1948 Olympic Games," ''Chinese Historical Review'' 2008 15(1): 1-24; Guoqi Xu, ''Olympic Dreams: China and Sports, 1895-2008'' (2008). </ref>  

===India===

===India===

Organized men's field hockey began in India in the 1880's. Following World War I, the Indian national team rose to international prominence, winning the 1928 Olympic gold medal in Amsterdam without surrendering a single goal. The Indian squad won gold in every Olympics through 1956 and again in 1964. India dominated in other international tours as well. The ability to bring together players from various social classes and diverse ethnic groups proved to be a key element of their success.<ref> Boria Majumdar, "The Golden Years of Indian Hockey: 'We Climb the Victory Stand'", ''International Journal of the History of Sport,'' 2008 25(12): 1592-1611</ref>

Organized men's field hockey began in India in the 1880's. Following World War I, the Indian national team rose to international prominence, winning the 1928 Olympic gold medal in Amsterdam without surrendering a single goal. The Indian squad won gold in every Olympics through 1956 and again in 1964. India dominated in other international tours as well. The ability to bring together players from various social classes and diverse ethnic groups proved to be a key element of their success.<ref> Boria Majumdar, "The Golden Years of Indian Hockey: 'We Climb the Victory Stand'", ''International Journal of the History of Sport,'' 2008 25(12): 1592-1611</ref>

===Latin America===

===Latin America===

The Young Men's Christian Association ([[YMCA]]), under the leadership of Elwood Brown, partnered with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under Pierre de Coubertin to bring Olympic ideals and participation to Latin America. Following the 1922 Latin American Games in Rio de Janeiro, IOC member Henri de Baillet-Latour toured the region, helping countries establish national Olympic committees and prepare for future competition. In some countries, such as Brazil, sporting and political rivalries hindered progress as opposing factions battled for control of international sport. The 1924 Olympic Games in Paris and the 1928 games in Amsterdam saw greatly increased participation from Latin American athletes.<ref>Cesar R. Torres, "The Latin American 'Olympic Explosion' of the 1920s: Causes and Consequences," ''International Journal of the History of Sport'' 2006 23(7): 1088-1111 </ref>

The Young Men's Christian Association ([[YMCA]]), under the leadership of Elwood Brown, partnered with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) under Pierre de Coubertin to bring Olympic ideals and participation to Latin America. Following the 1922 Latin American Games in Rio de Janeiro, IOC member Henri de Baillet-Latour toured the region, helping countries establish national Olympic committees and prepare for future competition. In some countries, such as Brazil, sporting and political rivalries hindered progress as opposing factions battled for control of international sport. The 1924 Olympic Games in Paris and the 1928 games in Amsterdam saw greatly increased participation from Latin American athletes.<ref>Cesar R. Torres, "The Latin American 'Olympic Explosion' of the 1920s: Causes and Consequences," ''International Journal of the History of Sport'' 2006 23(7): 1088-1111 </ref>

==Women==

==Women==

After the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had repeatedly opposed including women's athletics in their official program in the early 1920's, the Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale (FSFI) was founded in 1921. One year later it organized a Women's Olympiad in Paris with great success. As a result, the IOC accepted five women's athletic events in the program of the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. FSFI, under the leadership of Alice Milliat (1884-1957), sought to increase women's participation in sports, in particular the Olympic Games. The FSFI successfully sponsored the Women's Games in the years between the wars. However, the group faced considerable opposition from the aristocratic male leaders of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and from Siegfried Edström, president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, who wanted to maintain male domination in sports. The FSFI collapsed in 1936, despite having created international momentum for female athletic competition, as richer, more powerful sports organizations refused to allow women to continue to participate in sporting events.<ref>Florence Carpentier, and Jean-Pierre Lefèvre, "The Modern Olympic Movement, Women's Sport and the Social Order During the Inter-war Period," ''International Journal of the History of Sport'' 2006 23(7): 1112-1127  </ref>  

After the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had repeatedly opposed including women's athletics in their official program in the early 1920's, the Fédération Sportive Féminine Internationale (FSFI) was founded in 1921. One year later it organized a Women's Olympiad in Paris with great success. As a result, the IOC accepted five women's athletic events in the program of the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam. FSFI, under the leadership of Alice Milliat (1884-1957), sought to increase women's participation in sports, in particular the Olympic Games. The FSFI successfully sponsored the Women's Games in the years between the wars. However, the group faced considerable opposition from the aristocratic male leaders of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and from Siegfried Edström, president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, who wanted to maintain male domination in sports. The FSFI collapsed in 1936, despite having created international momentum for female athletic competition, as richer, more powerful sports organizations refused to allow women to continue to participate in sporting events.<ref>Florence Carpentier, and Jean-Pierre Lefèvre, "The Modern Olympic Movement, Women's Sport and the Social Order During the Inter-war Period," ''International Journal of the History of Sport'' 2006 23(7): 1112-1127  </ref>  

The fact that a few women collapsed on the grass after crossing the finishing line after the eight-hundred-meter race at the 1928 games, won by Germany's Lina Radke with a new world record, was used as an argument against women's athletics and women's sport in general. Officials, journalists, and doctors were not convinced of women's mental and physical ability to cope with the stresses of competitive sports. In a vote the IOC only just avoided abandoning women's athletics, but the eight-hundred-meter race was taken out of the program. Thirty years later the middle-distance race was restored to the Olympic program, again after intensive discussions.

The fact that a few women collapsed on the grass after crossing the finishing line after the eight-hundred-meter race at the 1928 games, won by Germany's Lina Radke with a new world record, was used as an argument against women's athletics and women's sport in general. Officials, journalists, and doctors were not convinced of women's mental and physical ability to cope with the stresses of competitive sports. In a vote the IOC only just avoided abandoning women's athletics, but the eight-hundred-meter race was taken out of the program. Thirty years later the middle-distance race was restored to the Olympic program, again after intensive discussions.