Olympism: A New Way of Life
Olympism is a very old concept coined by France's Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the architect of the modern Olympic games, To me, Olympism summarizes all that is good about the Olympics. Olympism is a way of life that describes the joy of competition and effort, and the thrill of absorbing culture and learning life lessons in the process. These lessons can give one the knowledge of quality ethical principles, how to become socially responsible, and how to encourage and care for others in their distinct lifestyles. Olympism is the very reason why the Olympic games have become an enormous global event and why athletes and spectators alike strive to take part in these games in any way possible.
According to the 2011 Olympic Charter, the role of the International Olympic Committee is to "promote Olympism throughout the world and to lead the Olympic Movement." The IOC holds strong to the core values of excellence, respect, and friendship to promote Olympism in all of their endeavors. If you look at this Website (http://www.olympic.org/olympism-in-action), you will see that the IOC goes to great lengths to accomplish this feat. Their activities cover six different categories: sport for all, development through sport, education through sport, women and sport, peace through sport, and sport and environment. One example of this type of program occurred one week during June 2012. Many world and government leaders met in Rio de Janeiro, the site of the 2016 Summer Olympics, to discuss how to make the games more sustainable from both an environmental and social point of view. Each country's National Olympic Committee also plays a large role in promoting Olympism. According to the charter, the ultimate goal of the NOC is to "promote the fundamental principles and values of Olympism in their countries, in particular, in the fields of sport and education, by promoting Olympic educational programmes in all levels of schools, sports and physical education institutions and universities, as well as by encouraging the creation of institutions dedicated to Olympic education, such as National Olympic Academies, Olympic Museums and other programmes, including cultural, related to the Olympic Movement." I read about one example of an NOC-related event in a blog written by a man named Keith Joseph. Also in June 2012, the NOC of St. Vincent and the Grenadines hosted a dinner and gala celebration to commemorate 25 years of existence and activity. The Olympic anthem was part of the evening's program for the first time in St. Vincent history, and many NOC leaders from neighboring Caribbean nations were in attendance. Here is the link: http://svgnoc.org/blogs/olympism/2012/06/22/the-nocs-exciting-week/
The World Olympians Association is yet another organization that is an integral part of the Olympic Movement. It was created in 1994 by IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch after the Centennial Olympic Congress in Paris in 1994. Through the National Olympic Committees, the WOA brings athletes together from around the world and allows them to become involved in the promotion of Olympic Movement ideals, which include Olympism. Some of these activities include the "dissemination of Olympic ideals, the promotion of fair play, advance environmental protection, educate against doping – drug use, supply educational resources, work against violence and intolerance, support diversity and equality, contribute to sport related charities, host special hospitality centres, involve Olympians in social support, display positive role models, advance sport management and promote culture of which sport is a part of" (http://www.woaolympians.com/). The WOA focuses on five "rings" of development: community, environmental, peace through sport, educational, and cultural programs.
In conjunction, all of these organizations attempt to teach others about the concept of Olympism, changing the ways that people live and conduct themselves and keeping the fire of the Olympic torch burning bright each and every day.
According to the 2011 Olympic Charter, the role of the International Olympic Committee is to "promote Olympism throughout the world and to lead the Olympic Movement." The IOC holds strong to the core values of excellence, respect, and friendship to promote Olympism in all of their endeavors. If you look at this Website (http://www.olympic.org/olympism-in-action), you will see that the IOC goes to great lengths to accomplish this feat. Their activities cover six different categories: sport for all, development through sport, education through sport, women and sport, peace through sport, and sport and environment. One example of this type of program occurred one week during June 2012. Many world and government leaders met in Rio de Janeiro, the site of the 2016 Summer Olympics, to discuss how to make the games more sustainable from both an environmental and social point of view. Each country's National Olympic Committee also plays a large role in promoting Olympism. According to the charter, the ultimate goal of the NOC is to "promote the fundamental principles and values of Olympism in their countries, in particular, in the fields of sport and education, by promoting Olympic educational programmes in all levels of schools, sports and physical education institutions and universities, as well as by encouraging the creation of institutions dedicated to Olympic education, such as National Olympic Academies, Olympic Museums and other programmes, including cultural, related to the Olympic Movement." I read about one example of an NOC-related event in a blog written by a man named Keith Joseph. Also in June 2012, the NOC of St. Vincent and the Grenadines hosted a dinner and gala celebration to commemorate 25 years of existence and activity. The Olympic anthem was part of the evening's program for the first time in St. Vincent history, and many NOC leaders from neighboring Caribbean nations were in attendance. Here is the link: http://svgnoc.org/blogs/olympism/2012/06/22/the-nocs-exciting-week/
The World Olympians Association is yet another organization that is an integral part of the Olympic Movement. It was created in 1994 by IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch after the Centennial Olympic Congress in Paris in 1994. Through the National Olympic Committees, the WOA brings athletes together from around the world and allows them to become involved in the promotion of Olympic Movement ideals, which include Olympism. Some of these activities include the "dissemination of Olympic ideals, the promotion of fair play, advance environmental protection, educate against doping – drug use, supply educational resources, work against violence and intolerance, support diversity and equality, contribute to sport related charities, host special hospitality centres, involve Olympians in social support, display positive role models, advance sport management and promote culture of which sport is a part of" (http://www.woaolympians.com/). The WOA focuses on five "rings" of development: community, environmental, peace through sport, educational, and cultural programs.
In conjunction, all of these organizations attempt to teach others about the concept of Olympism, changing the ways that people live and conduct themselves and keeping the fire of the Olympic torch burning bright each and every day.