Global Bizarre
Global Bizarre
  • Bizarre
    • Creepy
    • Strange Places
    • Weird Stuff
  • Esoteric
    • Meditation
    • Psychic
    • Spirit Animals
  • Mystery
    • Aliens
    • Believe It or Not
    • Odd Facts
  • Spirituality
    • World Religions
    • Spiritual Healing
    • Inspirational
  • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Travel
    • Medley
  • Medley

Olympics and the Arts: A Short-Lived Romance

  • Taylor Love
King Oedipus and Sphinx.
Total
10
Shares
10
0
0

The Olympic Games awarded medals in sculpture, music, painting, and architecture from 1912 to 1952. The creation of the modern Olympic games was inspired by the ancient Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece, from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. In 1894 Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the governing body of the Olympic Movement, which established the first modern Games in Athens in 1896. Baron Pierre de Coubertin believed the Olympics and the arts to be essential to the Games and his vision of a “true Olympian,” but this proved to be a short-lived romance.

The Arts and the Olympian

Richard Stanton, the author of The Forgotten Olympic Art Competitions, wrote, “He was raised and educated classically, and he was particularly impressed with the idea of what it meant to be a true Olympian—someone who was not only athletic but skilled in music and literature.”

While the Baron was unable to persuade organizers of the first games, which were held in Athens, St. Louis, and Paris, that art competitions were necessary, he continued to champion the arts as essential in the games.

During the early years, organizing members were struggling to keep the games afloat and did not view the arts as essential. Still, the Baron never let up once, stating, “There is only one difference between our Olympiads and plain sporting championships, and it is precisely the contests of art as they existed in the Olympiads of Ancient Greece, where sports exhibitions walked inequality with artistic exhibitions.”

The Arts in the Spotlight

Finally, in time for the 1912 Stockholm Games, he was able to secure a place for the arts creating categories including architecture, music, painting, sculpture, and literature. The only rule for the competition was that the works had to be inspired by the concept of “sport.” Most of the applicants were European artists, totaling about 33 total participants in the first year it was held.

The Olympics grew into a premier international event over the next decades. The sports gained high prevalence, but the fine arts competitions failed to garner attention. The Baron himself entered the competitions under pseudonyms in fear that there would not be enough participants, seems fair, right?

Artistic works submitted, such as paintings and sculptures, were dramatic depictions of athletes in competition while the majority of the architecture plans were for stadiums and arenas. However, the structure of the competition was inconsistent and confusing, categories often awarded different ranges of medals, and the criteria remained unclear. For example, a category may award a gold and silver medal while another only awarded gold, and another awarded no medals at all (this occurred when the jury felt no entry deserved an award – harsh). 

Total
10
Shares
Share 10
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Taylor Love

Previous Article
  • Medley

Orchids that Look Like, What?

  • Seeker Magazine Staff
View Post
Next Article
Confucius
  • World Religions

Confucianism 101

  • Brittany Chavers
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Medley

Orchids that Look Like, What?

  • Seeker Magazine Staff
View Post
  • Medley
  • Odd Facts

Winter Frost: Why Does It Come Back Every Year?

  • Lori Bogedin
View Post
  • Medley

The Benefits of Hobbies

  • Lisa Tizzoni
Winter Wonderland
View Post
  • Medley

6 Easy Winter Decorating Ideas For Your Home

  • Lori Bogedin
View Post
  • Medley

Monarch Butterfly Friendly Gardens

  • The Seeker Magazine Staff
Red Cloak
View Post
  • Medley

The Red Cloak

  • Raven Wilder
Reduce Stress
View Post
  • Medley

5 Life Hacks to Reduce Stress

  • Matthew Jones
Six string
View Post
  • Medley

Six String

  • Chris Montgomery
Trending
    • Health
    Relaxing Things To Do At Night To Help You Fall Asleep Easily
    • Bizarre
    Dorothy Eady: Reincarnation, mystery, and Absurdity
    • Bizarre
    The Medan Ship: an Inexplicable and Mysterious Ship Ever
    • Bizarre
    Unlocking the Power of Cannabis: Strengthening Your Relationships
    • Bizarre
    Unlocking the Power of Cannabis: Spiritual Awakening
Support Our Work

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

Follow Us
Facebook 5K Likes
Instagram 64 Followers
Pinterest 163 Followers
YouTube 228 Subscribers
Pages
  • About Global Bizarre
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy and Disclaimer
  • Write for Us
Global Bizarre
Strange, Unexplained Mysteries & Weird Stuff

Input your search keywords and press Enter.