Abstract
Nationalism and Olympism are two topics of great debate. In an increasingly connected world, these concepts are contrasted as opposites, sometimes unable to coexist – with a rise in one there must be a fall in the other. In this study, these concepts are explored alongside Olympism through the medium of the Olympic Games. The purpose of this research paper is to critically analyse the values of Olympism and Nationalism during the Tokyo Olympics. This paper also explores how and why Nationalism and Olympism are expressed in the Olympic Movement through case study of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Games and what the outcomes of these actions were. The paper clarifies the values of Olympism and Nationalism and how it is interpreted by the watching world. Incorporating the interpretivist paradigm, this study focused on selected events during the summer games of 2022. Through the course of data collection there was a focus on not only the institution staging the Games but also the spectators watching from home this time. The method of data collection was a semi-systematic literature review, using 196 research journals, written documents (books) and policy document provided by the IOC and articles published between 2021 and 2022. The positive effects of the games on individual athletes, teams, nations and hosts are indescribable. The Games provided a platform where positive nationalism was put on display and differences were put aside to witness and cheer on some of the best-talented individuals in the world.
Presenters
Chantell GouwsHead of Department, Sport Studies, Durban University of Technology, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Tokyo Games, Olympism, Nationalism
