The Latin American ‘Olympic explosion’ of the 1920s: Causes and consequences

Abstract

In spite of Baron Pierre de Coubertin's efforts, the Olympic Movement did not rapidly win over a substantial number of Latin American hearts. During the first 30 years of modern Olympic life, Latin American athletes and officials played a negligible role in the Olympic Movement. However, that pattern changed in the early 1920s. Suddenly, Latin Americans entered Olympic arenas en masse. The dramatic change during the 1920s from the negligible role that Latin Americans had played so far in the Olympic Movement can be described as an ‘Olympic explosion’. This article explores the causes underlying the burst of Latin American activity in Olympic matters during this period and its multifaceted consequences. By studying such causes and consequences, this article reveals that the Latin American incorporation into the Olympic Movement was shaped by a complicated network of intertwined responses to international pressures and domestic conflicts over control and demand for access to modern sport.