Latest update November 1st, 2024 12:08 AM
Latest News
- Minister Bharrat
- Jagdeo will not give Guyanese a chance to vote on renegotiation of Exxon’s lopsided contract at elections
- CNOOC credits Guyana’s Payara project for record-high Q3 oil production
- A Gaza medic realizes he’s carrying his own mother’s body, killed by an Israeli airstrike
- Sophia teen stabbed to death by 11-yr-old friend
THE GAMES OF THE XXXI OLYMPIAD
The 2016 Olympic Games are underway. The Olympic Torch was lit and will remain lit until the Games are over. For the next two weeks, all eyes will be on the Maracana Stadium in Rio Janeiro, Brazil for the games of the XXX1 Olympiad.
It is the first time the games are held in South America and Brazilians welcomed the athletes from more than 200 countries with a spectacular ceremony which showcased Brazilian talents and celebrated its culture in arts, music and robotics. It is also the first time that a group of refugee athletes would take part under the flag of the International Olympics Committee (IOC).
The opening was an eye-popping spectacle that will be remembered for its uniqueness. As the relatively small contingent of athletes from Guyana marched into the stadium, Guyanese both at home and in the diaspora erupted in loud cheers for their fellow countrymen and women.
The Olympic Games which are held every four years are considered the world’s foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating. The first modern Olympics Games was held under the auspices of the IOC at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, Greece in 1896.
Its creation was inspired by the ancient Olympic Games which were held in Olympia, Greece from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD. Greek officials and some athletes were enthusiastic about the experience of hosting an Olympic Games and wanted Athens to host the games permanently.
However, the IOC, founded by Baron Pierre de Coubertin decided to rotate the games to various cities around the world. Thus the second Olympic Games were held in Paris in 1900.
Beginning in the mid-20th century the IOC had to adapt to a variety of economic, political, and technological advancements.
As such, the Olympics had to shift away from pure amateur athletes as envisioned by Coubertin, to allow professional athletes to participate. The two World Wars led to the cancellation of the games in 1916, 1940, and 1944.
Boycotts during the Cold War era limited participation in 1980 and 1984 games. The games have grown so large that nearly every nation is now represented. Its growth has created enormous challenges and controversies including boycotts, doping, bribery, and a terrorist attack in Munich, Germany in 1972.
Today, a doping scandal involving Russian athletes has banned 110 of them from the games in Rio.
The Games are taking place at a time of great turmoil all over the world. Terrorism has become a daily risk for most countries; the US is engaged in a highly divisive presidential election campaign; Europe is reeling from the Brexit vote; the Middle-East remains unstable; Asia faces new tensions from North Korea, Africa remains poor and the Zika virus is ravaging South America, especially Brazil.
Brazil is faced with unprecedented security challenges to protect the athletes and spectators from terrorist attacks. Also, political, social and economic tensions in Brazil have been brought into sharp focus.
The Olympic Games are supposed to create good spirits and friendliness among Brazilians. But that is not the case for many Brazilians. The claim by the Olympic organizers that their budget is about one-tenth of that of London’s 2012 budget has done little to quell tensions in the country. It seems that hosting the Olympics has worsened the problems in Brazil. The world’s ninth largest economy is in a deep recession, inequality is rife, its infrastructure is poor, and unemployment and crime are high.
Many nations, including Guyana are hoping for a good performance from their athletes at Rio. The games will serve as a reminder of the feats the athletes are capable of. We wish them the best at the games.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The Vice President has it wrong!
…Peeping Tom Kaieteur News- Now, according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the government’s anti-corruption system... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
