The Olympic Games are more than a sporting competition, created by the Greeks around 2500 BC, the event became a symbol of the will and the overcoming of human limits. In ancient times, games were so important that even wars were interrupted and a truce granted to ensure their continuity. Sleeping for centuries, the tournament has lost none of its brilliance and importance in human history: repeated in 1894, the event continues to collect memorable events, photographs and events capable of illustrating humanity’s journey Reports of overtaking and defeats that go beyond sport are some of the episodes that have touched the world over the years. A few days after the start of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, let’s remember 4 important events from the world’s leading sporting competition. :
The story behind one of the most striking images of the Berlin Olympics is also representative: in the dossier, the black athlete Jesse Owens receives the gold medal while his opponents and even several spectators of the ceremony interpret the hi Nazi. At a time when the world was not yet aware of the perverse potential of Hitler’s ideology, the Olympics would be the perfect setting for the explicit propaganda of the dictator’s belief. Conveying a false image of pacifist and tolerant, Hitler’s true intention was to increase his popularity and demonstrate the supremacy of the Aryan race, through the impeccable organization and performance of German athletes. Even with the implicit attempts to ensure racial segregation also on the podium, avoid what? Not Aryan? participating, much less winning events, the highlight of the 1936 edition was, ironically, a black athlete. Jesse Owens made history at the Berlin Games, winning 4 gold medals (100 m and 200 m, 4 × 100 relays and long jump) and playing in one of the most iconic stages of the opposition to racism in the midst of Nazi Germany . A very curious fact behind one of Owens’ achievements is that the help of his main opponent was decisive in his victory: the German Luz Long gave valuable advice to the American in the jumping event. length that, immediately followed, guaranteed him gold. Although it cost him first place, Long, who won the silver medal, was one of the first to greet his colleague. It is speculated that his gesture was also responsible for his tragic end: although it was customary to dispense with elite athletes, Long was assigned to the front of the German army during World War II, dying in combat in 1943. The German noble act paid him a Posthumous tribute almost 3 decades after the feat: the International Olympic Committee awarded the athlete the Pierre de Coubertin medal, the highest honor for the cause of humanitarian sport. The history of Owens and Long shows that the Olympic spirit is capable of peacefully fighting against any racist ideology, extolling generosity and equality among peoples.
- One of the sports that most praises the human capacity to challenge one’s limits is the marathon? running miles at impressive speeds is almost superhuman.
- One of the greatest symbols of sport.
- Considered by many to be the greatest marathoner of all time.
- Is also known as “the barefoot runner.
- ” Ethiopian Abebe Bikila has established himself in the sport for a number of reasons: He was the first athlete to win two Olympic marathons.
- Opened a historic series of African champions.
- And also set a new level in the category thanks to his incredible performance.
- One of the best-known photographs in the history of the Olympic Games is also one of the athlete’s most memorable records: at the 1960 Rome Games.
- The runner outscored all his opponents barefoot.
- Epic.
- The story of this dispute had other ingredients worthy of a Greek tale: appointed to compose his country’s team at the last moment.
- Bikila had replaced his compatriot Wami Biratu.
- Injured on the eve of the dispute.
- Even a novice in the competition (this would be the second Ethiopian dispute).
- Fate would reserve the athlete to break the world record.
- His victory was also marked by strategy: during the preliminary reconnaissance of the course.
- The runner noticed that the Obelisk of Axum was 1.
- 5 km from the finish line and adopted this milestone as the point at which he should complete the last race.
- Another particular fact.
- Bikila’s impressive mark (2:15:16.
- 4 minutes ahead of his last opponent) is also explained by his attempt to overtake a non-existent opponent: alerted by the coach that his main competitor.
- The Moroccan Rhadi Ben Abdesselam would run with number 26.
- The athlete crossed the race to get to this athlete.
- However.
- Abdesselam entered the dispute with another number.
- Leading the Ethiopian to believe that the runner was still in the lead despite having already passed the marathoner.
- To make matters worse.
- Bikila competed while training: without any type of footwear.
- This is because none of the pairs offered by the event sponsor seemed comfortable enough for the race.
- Played at night.
- The torchlight marathon achieved a heroic result with Bikila’s quote “I wanted the world to know that my country.
- Ethiopia.
- Has always won its victories with heroism and determination.
- “.
Sadly, the history of the Olympic Games has also been marked by tragic events that shook the world. The longest and most fateful day in sport took place at the Munich Games in 1972, when the world witnessed real barbarism. On September 5 of this year, 8 members of the Palestinian extremist group? Black September? They stormed the Israeli delegation’s accommodation, killing two and holding 9 other members hostage. In an attempt to negotiate the release of 234 Arabs imprisoned in Israel, the terrorists drew the attention of the international media covering the event, but the Hebrew country remained negative. The German forces then decided to ambush the terrorists, promising a plane that would transport the group safely to Egypt, however the army’s true intention was to shoot down the executioners when exposed. A helicopter was offered to transport terrorists and hostages to a nearby base, but the disastrous action of the German army resulted in a real massacre: when the terrorists realized the trap, they opened fire on the agents and a large shot. To make matters worse, during the desperation of the conflict, one of the Palestinians threw a grenade at the helicopter, destroying any hope of saving the hostages. The result of this tragedy was the death of 17 people: the 11 kidnapped Israelis, 5 members of the terrorist group and 1 German policeman. Even under intense Israeli protests, the matches continued shortly after the victims’ awakening, which took place in one of the competition’s stadiums. The episode generated harsh criticism from the International Organizing Committee for Security Violations, which, fearing to do another edition of the games, veiled the propaganda of militarism (as it did in 1936), loosened the defense in the places of accommodation and competition. Furthermore, the event sparked further conflict between Palestinians and Jews, exacerbating the tension that already existed between these countries. Several measures were taken after the incident to prevent terrorist actions during events of this magnitude, but the terrible Munich massacre will forever leave a sad place in the history of the Olympic Games.
The 2004 Athens Games aroused strong emotions among Brazilians: with the largest delegation to date, our athletes achieved the best qualitative result, obtaining 5 gold medals. With an additional 2 silver medals and 3 bronze medals in its luggage, the country is ranked 16th on the edition’s award table. However, that year’s games would not be remembered by Brazilians for this feat alone: the most iconic episode of the tournament also featured one of our athletes: the performance of marathon runner Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima would have expanded Brazil’s top achievements without a picturesque silhouette. in your way. Leading the Olympic marathon at kilometer 36 with a 25-second lead over his last opponent, Vanderlei faced a desperate situation, when he was suddenly grabbed by a spectator and prevented from continuing the race. The executioner, Cornelius Horan, a former Irish priest, had already led another invasion at a sporting event at the British GP last year. Vanderlei only managed to shake off the attack with the help of Greek fan Polyvios Kossivas. Unfortunately, the short break was enough to lose valuable time for the athlete and break the rhythm of the race. Outbid by two opponents, Vanderlei ended up winning bronze. Even so, he was greeted with the highest praise in Athens, hailed by the Greek fans with celebrations worthy of a hero. The Brazilian Olympic Committee has always tried to claim the gold medal from those responsible for the awards, but without success. Even injured, Vanderlei showed the overtaking and humility characteristic of the Olympian spirit, accepting the Irishman’s apologies that prevented him from winning gold. Despite this episode, the athlete received the Pierre de Coubertin medal, a credit attributed to very few sports in history. Whichever place he held on the podium, the Brazilian has joined the roster of iconic athletes in Olympic sport.
Source: eMania