Memory and History: Understanding contemporary Olympism in an individual and social context
- Dates
- Thursday 5 March 2015 (17:00-18:00)
- Contact
To register to attend this seminar, please email Sarah Jeffery.
Institute of Advanced Studies Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Professor Katia Rubio (University of São Paulo), presents on 'contemporary Olympism'.
During the last Century the Olympics were considered a big event organized every 4 years and many symbols and records were produced in this period. The athlete, in particular, was seen as a pawn in a chess game while leaders generally took the position of kings, queens, bishops, horses and towers in the International Olympic Committee, the National Olympics Committees, Sports Federations and Confederations. This led the athlete, protagonist of the Olympic Spectacle, to a secondary position, manipulated according to the interests of the moment.
The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the role that the athlete plays in the realization of ‘Olympism’, not only from a competitive standpoint, but especially in keeping the Olympic imagery. More than a producer of sports results they are the promoter and motivator for the current and future generations of athletes. They are the greatest legacy that the Olympics leave to the society - more than stadiums, swimming pools, and infrastructure in general - because of their elected duty to represent the people.
Professor Rubio will discuss the life story of Olympic athletes, the country history and world events in relation to their sporting careers. She will consider sport as an event apart in society where politics and sport do not mix.