The Modern Olympics

Throughout history, the number of participating countries at the Olympic Games has grown. Only in 1978 and 1980, compared to the previous and following Games, the number of countries decreased significantly. With the increasing number of participant countries, the notoriety of the Olympic Games also extended. As a result, the number of partners in the OCOGs (Organising Committees for the Olympic Games) sponsorship programs increased. In 2018, there were more partners than ever before. Through investment in the Olympic Games, sponsors obtain many advantages. On the one hand, through advertisement their notoriety increases. On the other hand, the international cross-linking of sponsors extends. With the growing international fame, every time the Olympic Games are held, a certain motto that refers to international links is represented. In Rio 2016, the Olympic Games caused a sensation with the establishment of a Refugee Olympic Team (ROT). The debate of national representation and awareness grew extensively. People’s positions towards the migration movement strongly differ from each other. Some people agree with the IOC’s intention to support the migration movement and particular refugees. On the other hand, many people criticise the decreasing national character of the Olympic Games. However, at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016, the ROT marched between the Olympic flag and the Brazilian Olympic Team (cf. ibid). During the introduction of the ROT concept, Bach postulates: In the context of the selection of the athletes of the ROT, the IOC cooperated with the NOCs (National Olympic Committees). ‘NOCs around the world were asked to identify any refugee athlete with the potential to qualify for the Olympic Games Rio 2016.’ (IOC, 2016). The criteria to which refugees must adhere to be selected are ‘sporting level, official refugee status verified by the United Nations, and personal situation and background.’ (ibid). After the foundation of the ROT, people became more a more aware of the question of national representation in the Olympic Games. Since the first modern Olympics, foreign-born athletes have competed for other nations, but the establishment of the ROT – which does not represent any one specific nation – expanded debates over nationalism and national belonging.