The Political Games: How the Olympics Lost Their Way

Once a celebration of global athleticism, the Olympic Games have become mired in politics, with many feeling that the event now pushes political agendas over sporting excellence. From the opening ceremony to the 'net zero' food for athletes and the ongoing terror threats, the Olympics seem more about messaging than medals. This shift has led to boycotts and disillusionment, raising the question: have the Olympic Games become The Political Games?

Let's lay a little groundwork first. Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter specifically states:

"No kind of demonstration or political, religious, or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."

This rule is intended to maintain the focus on athletic competition and ensure that the Olympics remain a neutral environment. The rule aims to prevent the Games from being used as a platform for political statements or other forms of expression that could cause division or detract from the sporting events.

The Opening Ceremony: A Politicized Spectacle

The 2024 Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony was a dramatic showcase, but not for the reasons one might expect. Instead of a unifying celebration of global sportsmanship, it felt more like a political statement, featuring prominent LGBTQ+ themes. France appointed a Queer Olympic opening ceremony director who wanted ‘everyone to feel represented.’ Instead, the opening ceremonies were called ‘The Gayest Olympics Ever’ ostracizing over 2 billion Christians with their bastardization of the Last Supper. Now, I’m not religious, but for a group espousing ‘equality and inclusion’ to take this approach on the world’s biggest stage seems more like they're just trying to deepen the divide. In fact, Jillian Michaels, a prominent member of the LGBT community had this to say: