Essence of Olympic solidarity

LONDON – There is growing concern that the Paris Olympics may be tainted by disunity, terrorism and social unrest as malevolents could exploit a global platform to propagate their ends at the expense of sports. It’s a reality in today’s world to address issues that may lead to serious safety problems. No doubt, IOC and Paris organizers are making sure no untoward incidents will ruin the conduct of the Games.

In Olympic history, the Games went on despite troubled waters except during World War I (cancelled in 1916) and World War II (cancelled in 1940 and 1944). The Black September attack failed to halt the 1972 Munich Olympics, the US-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics couldn’t derail the staging of the event, the Eastern Bloc boycott of the 1984 LA Olympics didn’t dampen the spirit of the Games and the North Korean boycott with five socialist countries hardly made a dent on the impact of the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

IOC president Thomas Bach is hoping the Paris Games will bring the Olympics back to center stage in global sports with the prospect of making up for the economic losses sustained in the COVID-plagued Tokyo conclave. He’s on his last year of a second four-year term as IOC president. Under IOC rules, an extension for another term is possible.

Isolating politics from the Olympics is next to impossible particularly as the Olympic movement is about peace, harmony and solidarity. So when a country goes against the grain of Olympic tenets, there is a consequential sanction. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, for instance, was censured by IOC and as a result, the Russian flag won’t be flown in Paris and Russian athletes who subscribe to Vladimir Putin’s expansionist policy were expelled. A few Russian athletes will be allowed to participate as neutrals for as long as they aren’t affiliated with Putin’s military or aren’t supporters of the invasion. The war between Palestine and Israel has also been cited by IOC. Bach said he has been “even-handed” in dealing with Israeli and Palestinian athletes, not shutting the door on both sides as the situation is “completely different” from Russia.

Sports is a unifying element in the world. The Olympics are not only a showcase of athletic excellence but also a gathering of peace-loving people of all races. Global unity is a dream that can only come true if there is mutual respect among countries regardless of their status in wealth, resources or technology. IOC can’t be blamed for sanctioning nations that don’t adhere to the Olympic spirit. The essence of the Games must be preserved. Let sports speak the language of universal peace.