Here is a brief summary of the most notable 'political' moments in the modern Games, highlighting how significant events, athletes' protests, and global tensions have intersected with the Olympic movement. From the Black Power salute in 1968 to recent calls for boycotts and political statements made by athletes, these moments illustrate the complex interplay between sport and international politics.

1896-1906: Idealism and Politics at the Modern Olympics’ Birth

The modern Olympics were revived with lofty ideals by Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1896. He envisioned the Games as a bridge to unite nations, famously stating, "wars arise from misunderstandings between nations." Although Coubertin intended to relaunch the Games during the 1900 Paris World Fair, Greek enthusiasm led to Athens hosting them four years earlier, a decision that proved fortuitous. The 1900 and 1904 Games, initially planned for Chicago, were moved to St. Louis to coincide with the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, influenced by President Theodore Roosevelt. This move overshadowed the Games with the fair’s grandeur.

1908: The Rise of National Pride

The 1908 London Games marked a significant shift in Olympic tradition with the introduction of the parade of nations during the Opening Ceremony. This period also saw the first instance of national anthems being played for gold medallists at the 1924 Paris Games, reflecting a growing incorporation of national pride into the Olympics.

1936: The Nazi Propaganda Games

Berlin was selected as the host city for the 1936 Games when Germany was still a democracy. However, by the time the Games occurred, Nazi rule had taken hold, and the event was exploited for propaganda purposes. Despite calls for boycotts, all participating countries sent delegations. Controversially, the US replaced two Jewish runners with African American athletes, including Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals, directly challenging the Nazis’ claims of racial superiority.

1952: The Cold War Divide

The 1952 Helsinki Games saw the Soviet Union make its Olympic debut, intensifying Cold War tensions. To manage potential defections and political discord, Finnish organizers created two separate Olympic villages: one for Eastern Bloc athletes and another for the rest of the world. This separation underscored the political divide of the era.

1956: Violence and Diplomatic Disputes

The Melbourne Games were marred by violence and diplomatic tensions. Following the Soviet crackdown on the Hungarian Revolution, Hungary and the Soviet Union faced off in a violent water polo match, which ended abruptly after Hungarian player Ervin Zador was injured. Additionally, several nations boycotted the Games: Spain, Switzerland, and the Netherlands protested Soviet participation, while Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon abstained due to the Suez Canal conflict. China withdrew because of the presence of Taiwan.

1968: The Black Power Protest

The 1968 Mexico City Games are remembered for the Black Power salute by American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who raised their gloved fists after Smith set a world record in the 200 meters. Australian silver medallist Peter Norman supported them by wearing an "Olympic Project for Human Rights" badge. The intense reaction to their protest effectively ended the international careers of all three athletes.

1972: The Munich Crisis

The Munich Games were overshadowed by a terrorist attack when Palestinian militants took 11 Israeli athletes hostage. A failed rescue attempt by German authorities resulted in the deaths of the hostages, a police officer, and five terrorists. The decision to continue the Games amidst this crisis sparked significant controversy and debate.

1976-1984: The Era of Boycotts

Three consecutive Olympic Games were marked by significant boycotts due to political tensions. At the Montreal 1976 Games, twenty-two African nations withdrew in protest against New Zealand’s participation, citing the recent match played by its rugby team against apartheid-era South Africa. The presence of the New Zealand team was deemed unacceptable by the protesting countries, as they believed it disregarded the fight against racial oppression. This act of protest set a precedent that influenced future Games, reflecting how international politics can impact the Olympic movement.

A similar reaction occurred at the Moscow 1980 Games when the United States, along with over sixty other nations, chose to boycott the event in response to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. The US-led boycott was a direct condemnation of Soviet military actions in Afghanistan and was supported by a broad coalition of countries concerned about the invasion’s implications for international stability. Consequently, the Los Angeles 1984 Games witnessed a retaliatory boycott, with the Soviet Union and fourteen allied nations opting to abstain from participation. This counteraction was a statement against what they viewed as the politicisation of the Olympics and an effort to undermine the spirit of the Games.

1996: The Centennial Park Bombing

During the Atlanta Games, a bombing at Centennial Olympic Park resulted in two deaths and 111 injuries. The explosion on 27 July 1996 cast a shadow over the centennial celebrations. Eric Robert Rudolph, the bomber, evaded capture until 2003, when he was found hiding in the Appalachian wilderness. He confessed to the bombing and additional attacks on abortion clinics and a gay bar, claiming they were protests against 'global socialism' and abortion. The bombing led to heightened Olympic security, international support for victims, and debates on preventing domestic terrorism. Rudolph's capture brought some closure, but the attack remains a stark reminder of potential violence at large public events.

2024: The Russian Ban

For the Paris Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to ban the Russian and Belarusian teams due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This decision aims to uphold the Olympic values of peace and international cooperation. However, selected Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete as neutrals under strict conditions to ensure they are not linked to the conflict or to state-sponsored doping. Additionally, World Athletics has entirely excluded Russian athletes from track and field events.

The Olympics continue to reflect broader political dynamics, illustrating how global politics can intersect with sport and national pride. From the idealistic beginnings of the modern Games to the politically charged atmosphere of contemporary events, the Olympics remain a powerful stage where national pride and politics converge.