The Pre-Olympic Games in the 19th Century – from Athens to Palics Cover Image

XIX. századi „előolimpiák” Athéntől …Palicsig
The Pre-Olympic Games in the 19th Century – from Athens to Palics

Author(s): Katalin Szikora
Subject(s): Cultural history, Media studies, Recent History (1900 till today), 19th Century
Published by: Medea Egyesület
Keywords: “pre-Olympics”; sport; athletes; Lajos Vermes

Summary/Abstract: At the end of the 19th century the initiator of the modern Olympic movement was Baron Pierre de Coubertin of France who by incorporating the Olympic ideal and organizing the Games and Movement played a pioneer role in creating the modern international sport life. Yet his initiative was not without antecedents. These called “pre-Olympics” were the products of improved living conditions and organized nationally in order to strengthen national identity. In the article examples of these from Greece, Britain, Germany and Hungary will be discussed. The public’s interest in athletes and their performance grew constantly and that also shaped the fate of many from the coming generations. Sport also started to play an increasing role of each nation’s domestic and foreign policy.

  • Issue Year: VII/2012
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 5-120
  • Page Count: 16
  • Language: Hungarian