Presentation Transcript
The Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Network 6th Annual Conference 17-18 September 2007 Missenden Abbey Promoting Olympism: The Role of Academia: The Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism Network 6th Annual Conference 17-18 September 2007 Missenden Abbey Promoting Olympism: The Role of Academia Dr Vassil Girginov, Brunel University
Dr Jim Parry, Leeds University
Promoting Olympism: The Role of Academia: Promoting Olympism: The Role of Academia Aim:
To Consider the role of the academia in the UK in promoting Olympism by offering an ethical and process oriented approach
Structure of presentation:
London 2012 promotional strategy for Olympism
Lessons from past Games
An ethical and process oriented approach to promoting Olympism
London 2012 promotional strategy for Olympism : London 2012 promotional strategy for Olympism “The vision of the London 2012 Olympics is to stage inspirational Games
that capture the imagination of young people around the world and leave
a lasting legacy” Seb Coe, 2007
Future Past A successful promotion of Olympism can only be achieved by adopting a longitudinal, interdisciplinary and historic approach to understanding the processes which contribute to its sustainability in 21st century.
The Olympic values: The Olympic values Excellence
Friendship
Respect
(Mass, 2007, Olympic Review) Tolerance
Generosity
Solidarity
Friendship
Non-discrimination
Respect for others
(Samaranch, 1995, Olympic Review)
Slide5: WITHOUT going into too many details, it may be useful for the
Benefit of future meetings to sketch the outlines of the more important
parts of the work undertaken by the British Olympic Council in organising
The Games of 1908 in London.
(London 1908 Games Report, p.373)
MANY suggestions have been made for providing the large sum of money
necessary to carry out adequately any celebration of the Olympic Games
in modern times…. Different nations have naturally solved
the problem in different ways ; but in England we have hitherto been
deprived of one form of assistance which is common, I believe, to the rest
of the world ; for we never have been able to count upon any
Financial contribution from the public funds through the channels of
Official Administration nor have we been able to avail ourselves of the
patronage of the Government in raising money, by any officially-supported
scheme, for these objects.
(London 1948 Games Report, p.388)
Lessons from the 2000 Sydney Games: Lessons from the 2000 Sydney Games 28 Higher institutions in Australia polled
17 questionnaires sent
25 Institutions responded (8 Sydney, 6 NSW and ACT, 11 Interstate)
Sydney-based institutions benefited more significantly than regional universities
Good staff involvement
10,000 students in total were involved
Virtually no educational innovations
“Did the Olympics lead to a greater collaboration between faculties?” –
A resounding “NO”
Olympic goal of ‘bringing people together’ was not fully realised
“Were the aims of the Olympic movement met?” – 3- Yes; 18 –NO
Source: Cashman and Toohey, 2002
The Olympic project and Academia: The Olympic project and Academia From 1908 to Games Knowledge Production
From 1948 ‘No’ to a heavy Governmental support
From excellence, equality, education, peace, international understanding to excellence, friendship and respect.
1998 – IOC – Knowledge Transfer Programme
2000 – Sydney report HE sector and the Games
2008 – First comprehensive Olympic Games Impact
Issues for the academia:
Focus on processes of knowledge production
Understanding the role of the state and other agencies in staging and promoting Olympics
Understanding the learning legacy of the Games
Who learns what, how, when and to what effect?