Abstract On May 13, 1931, the International Olympic Committee, headed by Count Henri Baillet-Latour of Belgium, awarded the 1936 Summer Olympics to Berlin. This paper examines the political and social situation of Germany at the time, under the leadership of Adolph Hitler. It shows how he used the two weeks that the whole world would be watching, to turn Germany into a showcase and soften his anti-semitic policies.
The paper also discusses the games themselves and the controversies surrounding Hitler's apparent snubbing at the victories of black American athletes.
From the Paper "Of course, the Games were not without controversy in the several years prior to 1936. As Hitler assumed power and the Nazis formed a one-party dictatorship, there were efforts to remove the Games from Berlin for political reasons. The United States was especially vehement about moving the games. But, the International Olympic Committee, in trying to prove their rationale for awarding the games to Berlin, claimed that the Games would be under the auspices of the German government, and not the Nazi party,. Perhaps some people forgot that in Germany now these two were one and the same thing. Still, the Games were in the hands of the German Olympic Organizing Committee, headed by a Dr. Lewald, its president, and Dr. Diem, its secretary-general. Both were pre-Nazi Germans, and were not in good standing with the Nazi party, but somehow they managed to retain control."
Abstract The Cold War is considered by historians to be one of the most prominent social and political developments of the later Twentieth Century and served to form the political and economic alliances which impacted almost every aspect of modern life. The development of the Cold War can be traced back nearly a century, but the event that triggered the outbreak of the Cold War itself is believed to be the Berlin Blockade. This paper investigates the causes of the Berlin Blockade and how this event came to pass, with reflection on how the Berlin Blockade helped chart the development of the Cold War itself.
Abstract This paper presents a detailed history of ancient and modern Olympic games. The paper includes details of the creating of the winter Olympics, discusses the origins of the modern Olympics and the people behind the movement and looks at the current state of the Olympics.
Tags: ancient games, modern games, greece, coupertin, IOC, olympic ideals, olympic torch, olympic oath, doping
Abstract The paper examines Brian S. Gunderson's article "Strategic Air Command's B-29's During the Berlin Airlift", which emphasizes the previously unacknowledged, but crucial role played by B-29s during the famous Berlin Blockade airlift. The paper asserts that although this is a valuable document in its detail and meticulous, step-by-step chronological unfolding of the events leading up to and after the airlift, Gunderson lacks engagement because of his failure to really make an argument about the significance of the airlift. The paper notes many aspects the author could have addressed that would have improved this work.
From the Paper "Author and B-29 navigator from the 1948 28th Bomb Wing Brigadier General Brian S. Gunderson's article "Strategic Air Command's b-29's During the Berlin Airlift" appears to be a fairly straightforward account of the Berlin Blockade with an emphasis on the previously unacknowledged, but crucial role played by B-29s during the famous airlift. Gunderson was personally involved in the airlift, although his article takes a cooler, more dispassionate tone than other attempts to provide the reader with a gripping, involved, and 'grounds-eye' narrative of the events that transpired. His thesis, vaguely defined, seems to underline the significance of the airlift and the essential fellowship and hospitality of the British that enabled the airlift to be so successful. However, although a valuable document in its detail and meticulous, step-by-step chronological unfolding of the events leading up to and after the airlift, he lacks engagement with a central, driving thesis because of his failure to really make an argument about the significance of the airlift."
Abstract This essay uncovers how Peter Ueberroth, head of the L.A. Olympic Organizing Committee transformed the games into a monumental opportunity to stage a spectacular event and raise enough to contribute back to the surrounding community. The paper examines the success of the 1984 Olympics through the persepctive of entrepreuneurial organization.
From the Paper "Various factors contributed to the success of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee (LAOOC) and much was due to the "infective" personality of Peter Ueberroth. However, as biologist Bertalanffy professed through his systems theory "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts".
"Without digging deeply into the theory itself and the resulting holistic philosophy, "systems theory focuses on not only how the parts are arranged and what they do but also the relations which connect the parts into a whole."
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the ancient and modern Olympic Games that shows how, despite the superficial differences, the events are at heart very similar. It looks at the origin and history of the Olympics.
From the Paper The Olympics have come to us down through the ages as an example of the purity and beauty of athletics. The Olympic ideal is something that we hear touted in the media and that many young athletes dream about as they embark on their athletic careers ..."
Abstract In this article the writer looks at the impact and effects that the Olympic Games have had over the years. The writer discusses the various benefits and advantages involved when athletes from different nations participate in such an event. The writer also highlights the positive economic aspects brought about by the Olympics, such as the encouragement of tourism and jobs for the host country.
From the Paper "The Olympic Games offer an opportunity for people of different nations to meet each other, and to communicate and exchange cultural ideas with each other. Beneficial changes, such as promoting a more positive image to the world, and creating publicity and visibility, are enjoyed by the host city. In this way, tourism to the country may be boosted. In addition, the local economy may be stimulated, and jobs may be created. Finally, infrastructure built for the Games may benefit the local inhabitants for many years to come."
Abstract This creative writing paper attempts to capture the spirit and times of the late eighteenth century when a young French woman ruminates on the recent execution of Olympe de Gouges and what it means for France. The paper explores the challenges confronting French women during the period in question and examines in brief some of the social factors which made bloody revolution perhaps inevitable.
From the Paper "They killed Olympe de Gouges the other day - apparently because they found her ideas too revolutionary ("Olympe de Gouges", para.1). The champion of female rights and equality ("Olympe de Gouges", sec.1; Olympe de Gouges, articles 1-17 and postscript), she died as she had lived - courageously - but she nonetheless died far too young. I am one of the young women who read her work and was inspired by it; I am also one of those young women whole stole in amongst the spectators to witness her death as they first led her to the infernal contraption, mocked her, threw rotten fruit at her, and then shouted out in glee as the blade plunged down through the back of her neck. I cannot tell you my horror and shame that France - my France! - should permit such ghastly atrocities to occur."
Abstract This paper considers the costs and benefits of hosting the Olympics, particularly as an effort to inform the efforts of Beijing in 2008. Through review of the literature, and case studies Seoul and Atlanta, the research shows that Beijing can benefit if they use the hosting to impact the national life of China (including standing in the world) and improve very specific parts of the economy.
Abstract This paper explains that that Leni Riefenstahl's film of the 1936Olympic documentary is propaganda, focusing more on German and German-sympathetic athletes and the ambiance of the Berlin stadium, seen in its new Nazi grandeur; whereas, in the most stunning photography, Ton Ichikawa's film of the 1964 Tokyo Olympiad is a salute of the exertion of the athletes regardless of race, nationality or ethnic background. The author points out that "Tokyo Olympiad 1964" is not a "sports documentary" in the traditional sense of showing races, winners and celebrating crowds but rather a technically and emotionally gripping documentary about the effort of preparation and the Olympic spirit. The paper concludes that, in a sense, this film is just as much a propaganda piece about Japan's new maturity as was Olympia 1936 but in a way that the glorification politics do not interfere with the presentation of the athletics.
From the Paper "There is no real story line easy to follow, even though this nearly three-hour film opens with buildings being demolished to make way for the Olympic stadiums and arenas, and training areas as well as housing. As we see this, there is a voice-over which gives the other previous Olympic locations and dates. One of the next scenes is the obligatory Olympic documentary one of the torch reaching Japan, and the following thew various runners in the countryside, running to bring the torch to Tokyo and its new Olympic stadium. For Americans, the win of the Native American, Billy Mills, in the 10,000 meter race is a highlight. But, interestingly enough, the camera stays at the finish line until every racer has finished. There is also a somewhat poignant story line about the single athlete from Chad, who shares no common language with any other athlete, and trains alone. When he loses in the semi-final heat, Ahmed Isa is ignored by the crowd, but not Ichikawa. Here is loneliness amid the shouts of tens of thousands."
Abstract This paper explains that, amidst the Cold War and the killing of 11 Israeli Olympic team members by Arab terrorists, the 1972 United States Olympic basketball team took to the court in Munich, Germany, and lost ... or were the players cheated by the Soviets? Dating back to 1936, no American team had ever lost in men's basketball in Olympic play. The author describes the final game between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which was marred by controversy. After the loss, the paper relates, the U.S. team players refused to accept their silver medals.
From the Paper "This is where the strange confusion begins. After the Soviets in-bounded the ball, the officials halted the game for the first time. The officials decided to put three seconds back onto the clock because it was believed that the Soviet Team tried to call a time-out between Collins' free throws. The officials never acknowledged the Soviet time-out at the time; nonetheless, the additional seconds was granted; the first of a few "issues" that seemed to stack against the United States."
Abstract The paper examines the work "The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics" that focuses on how Jesse Owens won an unprecedented four gold medals at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games in Nazi Germany. The paper summarizes the scope of the book and relates that through active subplots, details descriptions of settings and events and psychological familiarity, Jesse Owens is presented as a David to Hitler's Goliath. The paper notes the criticisms of the book but concludes that Schaap was able to recreate one of the most hostile sporting environments ever seen.
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From the Paper "The premise of this story elaborates on a familiar backdrop, and transforms the reader into the 1936 Berlin summer Olympics from a very different perspective. In what was dubbed 'Hitler's Olympics' the foundation for German supremacy could have not been more apparent. However, from a tale of unlikely beginnings, the story of Jesse Owens has been elevated into legendary status. In The Untold Story, the pages unfold like a film documentary in print. The unique approach of providing a flashback from the 1950s provides a perspective of the impact of what had taken place. At the crux of the story was Jesse Owens not only competing in events, but winning an unprecedented four gold medals in front of the Nazi regime and Adolph Hitler."
Abstract This paper explores the founder of the games and the reason he wanted to start the games again. It explains the ways in which politics have been involved in the Olympic Games. The paper also focuses on the diversity of the athletes and the nations that they represent. In addition, it discusses the sports that were included and the technologies that were used. Finally, the writer discusses how the early participants were selected and the manner in which the games have affected us socially.
From the Paper "The modern Olympics have become an event that encompasses the idea of sportsmanship and unanimity among athletes from nations around the world. Since the inception of the modern Olympics we have seen people from diverse nations and backgrounds come together in competition. The Olympics are indeed an event that athletes and sports fans around the world have come to enjoy and celebrate."
This paper evaluates four websites, which describe the Ancient Olympic Games: "The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games", "The Ancient Olympics", "Archaeology's Ancient Olympics Guide" and "The Olympics: The Ancient Olympics".
Abstract The paper relates that the website "The Real Story of the Ancient Olympic Games" describes how politics, nationalism, commercialism and athletics were related intimately in the ancient Olympic Games and how today's games are surprisingly accurate re-creations of the ancient Olympic Games in relation to climate and circumstances. The author points out that the website "Ancient Olympics Guide" is short on graphics; however, this does not detract in any way from the visual appeal of the site because the lack of graphic fillers allows room for a wealth of scholarly information concerning the ancient and modern Olympic games. The paper relates that the website "The Olympics: The Ancient Olympics" is a very comprehensive website, which provides informational links to the history, origins and events of the ancient Olympics.
From the Paper "The home page of Tufts University's site "The Ancient Olympics" (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/) has five oblong circles centered on the top half of the page that provides links entitled Ancient and Modern Olympic Sports, A Tour of Ancient Olympia, The Context of the Games and the Olympic Spirit, Athletes' Stories and Frequently Asked Questions. In the center of each circle is an ancient Olympic scene. The bottom half of the home page gives a brief description of the Perseus Project, which in 1996, created this exhibit on the ancient Olympics as a tribute to the Centennial Olympic Games. This exhibit allows one to compare ancient and modern Olympic sports, tour the site of Olympia as it looks today, learn about the context of the Games and the Olympic spirit, or read about the Olympic athletes who were famous in ancient times."
Tags: graphics, links, re-creation, tribute, modern
Abstract In this article, the writer maintains that holding the Olympic Games is one of the best ways to promote cultural understanding between countries. It is a great opportunity to show a country's cultural essence to the world because people from different countries flood into the host country for the Olympic Games. The writer notes that the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing is one of the best examples of how much the Olympic Games can promote cultural understanding for one country to the whole world. The writer points out that by holding this event, China provided an opportunity for both domestic people and overseas tourists to experience a combination of Olympic and Chinese cultures. The writer discusses that the dark side in the Olympic Games truly exists, because everything is a paradox, but people can still find ways to solve the conflicts with mutual comprehension through the peaceful power of the Olympic Games. The writer concludes that the International Olympic Committee brings people from all over the world together, which allows people from different background to establish friendship while competing in the friendly sporting contests.
From the Paper "All the tourists see the true appearance of the country, and they bring their experiences and feelings about the host country back to their own countries. China, the host country of the 29th Olympic Games, is an outstanding example, demonstrating the advantages of the Olympics. Foreigners had a great opportunity to learn the essence of Chinese culture during the Olympic Games. Moreover, the Chinese also gained a chance to comprehend other cultures through communication with foreign people. The 29th Olympic Games not only showed the sporting ability of China but also represented the development of China. Although some protests, which were instigated by The Dalai Lama, occurred during the torch relay, the Beijing Olympics was still a powerful tool for promoting and inspiring world peace."
