The Unique Position of the Olympics in Preserving the Human Dignity
All those who follow political and social developments from a humane aspect and based on the International Bill of Human Rights, view the 2024 Paris Olympics as a rescue platform that can attract the attention of the international public opinion for the need to build a safe and free world from any kind of violence and hatred. It seems, therefore, that the Olympics enthusiasts expect the organizers of these events in a time when assault, terror, repression and killing continue to take victims in parts of the world, to not only protect the games from the presence of those who promote hatred and violence but also provide conditions for the athletes and coaches to participate and compete in an atmosphere free from any discrimination but full of vigor and joy.
On another hand, considering the clear stances and appropriate reactions of Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee to the inhumane incidents that have occurred in the sidelines of sports during these years, we can be assured that the IOC will not tolerate the violators of the Olympic Charter in these round of games.
Participation of Refugees in the Olympic Games and its Achievements
Many athletes and coaches suffer from gender segregation and discrimination in their native countries and in many instances, they become frustrated with the political and religious repressions prevalent in their homelands and have no choice but to seek refuge in safe and democratic countries.
For the first time in 2016 before the start of the Rio Olympics, eleven refugee athletes had the opportunity to participate in the summer games under the Olympics flag with Thomas Bach’s official statement that “Refugee athletes are a treasure for the Olympics and are welcome to compete in the Olympics”. An achievement that, in addition to reflecting the refugee crisis, also supported their right to exercise sports.
After that, despite the restrictions governing the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of athletes in the refugee team increased in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This time, 29 athletes in 12 sports fields came to Japan and participated in the Olympics.
The refugee team will also participate in the Paris Olympics and it is expected that their number will increase.
Olympics Can Play a Role in Building a Better World
Education plays an utterly important role in improving the athletes’ living standards and relative welfare. Being aware of their human and social rights will enable athletes to improve their sporting achievements with peace of mind. In addition, the more athletes become educated about the philosophy of Olympism and sports sciences, the more the level of systematic doping and administrative corruption that have been institutionalized in some Olympic subsidiary organizations and international sports federations will drop. This means that by improving the quality of education, people’s sense of responsibility in all sports levels will increase, making the role of sports in strengthening civil institutions more effective.
In that respect, the role of athlete365 and other commissions related to the affairs of the athletes becomes very important as it is from here that these commissions can make the National Olympic Committees liable for observing the individual rights of the athletes and emphasize on it.
Written by Farzad Youshanlou
