Olympic Sport and Its Lessons for Peace

Abstract

Heather Reid discusses the differences between the ancient Olympic Games, in which victory was imagined as a visit from the goddess Nike, and the modern Olympics, where victory typically means endorsement deals from the company Nike. According to Reid, modern society can learn from the ancient association between Olympic Games and peace because that association derives not only from mythology and rhetoric, but also from particular, and perhaps unexpected, effects of athletic competition itself. Olympic sport taught the ancient Hellenes about peace by incorporating philosophical aspects of peace as setting aside conflict, treating others as equals and developing community spirit.