When the Modern Olympics were conceived in the 1890s by Pierre
de Coubertin his dream was of “peaceful, courteous contests”
that would “constitute the best form of internationalism”.
Throughout its history, the Olympic movement has associated
itself with a shifting series of ideals, not least a desire to
rise above politics. Yet since their inception in 1896, the
modern Games have provided a stage on which the great political
and social stories of the day have been played out – from
debates about the participation of women in the early years of
the twentieth century, through cold war diplomacy, the politics
of race and freedom of speech, to today’s concern about human
rights, regeneration, security and corporate influence. This
blog explores how political and commercial pressures have
buffeted the ideals and values of the Olympic movement in the
past, and how they continue to influence the Games today. It
runs in parallel with an exhibition of the same name at the Free
Word Centre in London, which opened in M