Celebrating Diversity in the Olympics: A Journey of Unity and Progress

Every four years, the emotions of millions worldwide weigh on the shoulders of their nation's elite. For some, victory feels unattainable outside of a lucid dream but hope is an addiction. For others there's no other way. Victory is inevitable. The Olympics has long stood as a beacon of international unity, human excellence and a dash of national pride. A recipe for sporting history. 

Usain Bolt, with his record-breaking race in 2009 and charismatic presence, is an icon celebrated not just for his athletic achievements but for his cultural impact. Jordan won its first and only gold medal in taekwondo in 2016, a moment of immense pride and representation for the nation. To this day, my elders still brazenly bask in the glory of the Nigerian men's football team defying the odds in the summer of 96’. From its inception in ancient Greece in 709 BC to the modern games that began in 1894, the Olympics has showcased not just athletic prowess but the incredible diversity of humanity. 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded in 1894 on the belief that “sport can contribute to peace and the harmonious development of humankind.” To me, The torch relay is an Olympic tradition that symbolically encapsulates the ideals of unity and peace, especially the 2008 Beijing Olympics dubbed the "Journey of Harmony '', spanning 129 days across the five continents. The passing of the torch, the methods involved in keeping the flame alive from Olmypia to Beijing using collective effort is the pinnacle of diversity.

Diversity in the Olympics: Striving for Greater Inclusivity

What is Diversity?

In its definition it is “the state of being diverse; variety.” 

In the current climate, societies grip with the challenges of changing archaic attitudes towards inclusivity and that ongoing battle has created a huge focus on one aspect of diversity; the physical or what we see. 

Different hair, different eyes, different bodies. Different skin. 

The Olympics showcases it all and, in those brief few weeks, our differences are forgotten in the name of sport. But sometimes forgetting or ignoring, despite the good intentions, has the unintended effect of exclusion. Take swimming for example. It is notorious for having a lack of black swimmers which could sway some to believe the stereotypical adage of “black people can't swim” despite the existence and history of the Caribbean islands and its people. A more nuanced argument is the lack of affordable facilities; tennis being another sport battling with a similar issue. There's a difference in available opportunities creating a lack of diversity. 

Another example is the banning of afro-specialised swim caps at the Tokyo 2020 games by the World Aquatics Association attempting to maintain fairness. Swimming pools are cleaned with Chlorine which has a bigger detrimental effect on black hair (naturally dry hair + chlorine = help) which makes swimming very discouraging for black women especially. The WAA later saw the error in their decision and reversed it. 

The ongoing discussions about transgender rights within sport is still rife. The case of Caster Semenya, a dominating South African female runner born with naturally high testosterone. New regulations introduced in 2019 required her to take drugs to meet eligibility criteria, which in itself raised a lot of human rights and ethical questions. Is it your T-levels that represent your sex? Eventually, she wins her discrimination case after appealing in the Grand chamber of the European Court. In the 2024 games the 46 second womens boxing match between Italian Angela Carini, who abandoned the fight out of fear of breaking her nose, and Algerian Imane Khelif is another example of this debate. Similarly to Caster, Imane has elevated testosterone levels but is considered female under Olympic Classification. Are these women unfair outliers or do views on femininity need to be readjusted? Michael Phelps is often lauded instead of scrutinised for his body's ability to produce less lactic acid than his rivals coupled with his unusual body frame. These situations show the work around diversity has made progress, but there is still more to be done. Challenges still remain for the IOC as it continues to ensure the Olympics are truly inclusive and representative of all athletes.

Diversity is not just in appearance but also in the range of experiences and knowledge each athlete brings. 

Football, with its multiple leagues and styles across countries, highlights how diversity fuels innovation and enriches the experience in sport. The staunch Italian “Catenaccio” defending and the Brazilian flair “Joga Bonito” are both influential styles assimilated into footballing systems all over the world. Even England's academy football infrastructure changes began in 2010 in response to seeing the results of Germany's own process which they started in the year 2000. Each country will have had their own style developed from their culture and knowledge of football but to improve, they needed each other. 

Conclusion

The Olympics, from their ancient origins to the present day, are a testament to the power of diversity. There is still a lot more work to be done. Challenges like the banning of afro-specialized swim caps and debates over transgender athletes, these issues highlight the ongoing journey towards inclusivity. As we look forward to future Olympic Games, let us continue to champion diversity, ensuring that this global event remains a symbol of unity, peace, and the potential of humankind.