Paris 2024 Olympics: A Celebration of History, Unity, and Athletic Excellence (GS Paper 2, Sports & Affair)
Introduction
- The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and commonly referred to as Paris 2024, is capturing global attention from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
- Hosted in Paris, with additional celebrations in 16 other cities across France and a subsite in Tahiti, French Polynesia, this edition of the Games marks a return to the traditional four-year cycle after the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Paris 2024 promises to be a milestone event, reflecting both the rich historical legacy of the Olympics and a modern commitment to inclusivity and gender equality.
Historical Significance of Paris 2024
Paris: A Historic Host City
- Paris is hosting the Summer Olympics for the third time, a centenary celebration since the city last held the Games in 1924.
- This marks a significant historical event, underscoring Paris’s deep connection with the Olympic movement.
- The 2024 Games will be the sixth time France has hosted the Olympics, including both summer and winter editions, making it a key player in Olympic history.
Motto and Vision
- The motto for Paris 2024, "Games wide open," highlights the event’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
- This edition will feature an equal number of male and female athletes for the first time, demonstrating a significant step towards gender equality in sports and reflecting a broader trend towards diversity and representation in the Olympic movement.
The Evolution of the Olympics
Ancient Origins
- The Olympic Games began in ancient Greece in the 8th century BC, held in Olympia and dedicated to the Olympian gods.
- They were a key aspect of ancient Greek culture, symbolizing peace and unity among warring states through the Olympic Truce (Ekecheiria).
Modern Revival
- The modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 by Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator who aimed to promote peace and international understanding through sport.
- The first modern Olympics, held in Athens, Greece, saw athletes from 14 countries competing in 43 events.
- Since then, the Games have expanded significantly, now featuring thousands of athletes from over 200 countries.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- The IOC is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement, responsible for overseeing the organization and staging of the Games.
- The selection of the host city is a competitive process, with cities submitting bids years in advance.
- The host city is tasked with building and maintaining infrastructure, including sports venues, transportation, and accommodation.
Olympic Symbols and Traditions
The Olympic Rings
- The Olympic rings, representing the five continents, are one of the most recognizable symbols of the Games.
- They symbolize the unity and global nature of the Olympic movement.
The Olympic Torch Relay
Historical Background
- The tradition of the Olympic Torch Relay, which began in the 1936 Berlin Games, draws inspiration from ancient Greek torch races.
- The flame is lit in Olympia using the sun’s rays, symbolizing purity and continuity.
Evolution and Inclusivity
- Initially reserved for young male athletes, the torch relay has evolved to include participants from diverse backgrounds.
- The final torchbearer, who carries the flame into the opening ceremony, is chosen in secrecy, adding an element of excitement and anticipation to the Games.
India’s Olympic Journey
Early Achievements
- India's Olympic history began with Norman Pritchard, who won two silver medals at the 1900 Paris Olympics.
- The Indian hockey team’s dominance started at the Amsterdam 1928 Olympics, where they won their first gold medal.
- This success continued with gold medals at the Los Angeles 1932 and Berlin 1936 Olympics, showcasing India’s prowess in the sport.
Post-Independence Highlights
- Post-independence, India saw significant achievements in Olympic sports.
- The London 1948 Olympics marked India's first appearance as an independent nation, with the hockey team winning gold.
- The Helsinki 1952 Olympics saw KD Jadhav win India's first individual Olympic medal, a bronze in wrestling.
- The 1960 Rome Olympics saw the hockey team win silver, and the 1980 Moscow Olympics saw them reclaim gold.
Medal Drought and Revival
- The 1980s were a period of limited success, with India failing to win medals in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.
- However, Leander Paes’s bronze in tennis at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics broke the drought.
- Karnam Malleswari's bronze in weightlifting at Sydney 2000 and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s silver in shooting at Athens 2004 marked further progress.
Recent Successes
- The Beijing 2008 Olympics were a turning point with Abhinav Bindra winning India’s first individual gold medal.
- The London 2012 Olympics saw India’s highest medal tally of six, while the Rio 2016 Olympics had PV Sindhu and Sakshi Malik as the sole medallists.
- Tokyo 2020 was India's most successful Olympics, with seven medals including Neeraj Chopra’s gold in javelin throw.
Manu Bhaker’s Historic Achievement
Paris 2024: A New Milestone
- Manu Bhaker’s performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics marked a significant milestone for Indian shooting.
- On July 28, 2024, she won a bronze medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre.
- Bhaker’s victory not only ended a 12-year wait for a shooting medal but also established her as one of India’s top shooters.
Significance of Bhaker’s Achievement
- Bhaker’s success highlights the growth and development of Indian shooting on the global stage.
- Her achievement is a testament to her dedication and the evolving nature of Indian athletes in the Olympics.
Conclusion
- The Paris 2024 Olympics promises to be a landmark event, celebrating the rich history of the Games while embracing modern values of inclusivity and equality.
- With the Olympic Torch Relay symbolizing the continuity of Olympic traditions and new milestones such as Manu Bhaker’s success in shooting, Paris 2024 is set to inspire and unite people around the world.
- As the Games unfold, they will reflect the enduring power of sport to bring nations together and celebrate athletic excellence on a global stage.
