Global sporting events GapFill

The modern Olympic Games were first held in Athens in   1896the 8th century18501894 and have since, with some exceptions, been held every four years. They were revived from Ancient Greek origins by Pierre de Coubertin, an idealistic Frenchman who sought to use organised sport to promote several key aims:

• Provide  friendshipsparticipation rightsequal opportunitiesphysical training for all
• Improve health and fitness
• Greater communion among nations for a peaceful future 

Key examples of political exploitation at the Olympic Games:

•    Moscow, 1936Berlin, 1936London, 1936Munich, 1936 - Third Reich ideology: These Games were used by Adolf Hitler to put the rebuilt Germany from World War I on display to the rest of the world through Nazi propaganda and promotion of Nazi ideologies. A noteworthy event of these games was when Jesse Owens, a black US sprinter and long jumper, won four gold medals. As he was a black athlete, this went against Hitler's promotion of the superior Aryan race. Of course, three years later, Hitler would plunge the world into conflict again through World War II.
•  Munich, 1972Mexico City, 1968Mexico City, 1972Munich, 1968 - ‘Black Power’ demonstration: These Games took place at a time when the civil rights movement in America was at its height, whereby African-Americans fought for an end to  women's rightsabortionslave labourracial discrimination. To raise global awareness of the issues faced by this group, African-American athletes Tommie Smith (200 m gold medallist) and John Carlos (200 m bronze medallist), stood side by side on the podium, raising their fists in the air as a symbol of black power during the US national anthem. The iconic image still seen today was met at the time with immediate dismissal from the team.
•  Munich, 1968Mexico City, 1968Mexico City, 1972Munich, 1972 - Palestinian terrorism: These Games were devastated by what is referred to as the ‘  Munich'72'68Moscow massacre’. The Palestinian militant group, the Black September organisation, were able to overcome slack security at the Olympic Village, forcing their way into the Israeli camp and taking 11 athletes hostage. The terrorists aimed to generate media coverage demanding the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Following a failed rescue mission, all hostages were killed and the Games were suspended. Tensions in the Middle East between these neighbouring countries are still apparent to this present day.
•  Montreal, 1976Munich, 1972Moscow, 1980Seoul, 1988 - Western boycott: During the Cold War, President Jimmy Carter endorsed a complete boycott of   USSovietChineseBritish athletes from these Games in protest against the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in 1979. 65 other countries joined suit, meaning that a number of sporting events had to be cancelled. This decision would hit hard the atheletes who dedicated themselves to competing in these Games, as back then it was not unusual for athletes to only have the one opportunity, unlike today's athletes, who often compete in several successive Games.
•  Montreal, 1976Seoul, 1988Moscow, 1980Los Angeles, 1984 - Eastern bloc boycott -   GermanyIsraelThe USThe Soviet Union boycotted these Games in retaliation for previous Olympics and in protest at anti-Soviet propaganda. They stated their main reason was over safety concerns.