Although the official stance is that the Olympics are a non-political event, the reality is that they are a vast demonstration of conflicts and international dynamics. The Olympics have showcased nationalism, ideological and national rivalries, propaganda, social justice movements and marketing strategies. The Games also have served as a diplomatic tool; aiding in negotiations, recognizing new states, pressuring regimes like apartheid-era South Africa and promoting peace through the Olympic Truce.

This geopolitical influence is only increasing due to an enormous audience. In the 2020 Tokyo Games (celebrated in 2021 because of the pandemic), the contests reached an audience of over 3 billion people. Nevertheless, the Games have not been exempt from controversy. People have criticized its elitist roots, its negative impact on the host cities and the opacity of the International Olympic Committee’s decision-making.

The Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece and lasted until 393 AD when Roman Emperor Theodosius I banned them. The games were revived in the 19th century by the Greek poet Panagiotis Soutsos amidst rising sentiments of nationalism and liberalism. He hoped to restore the Olympics to foster Greek national identity after independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829. Though exclusively Greek, the sports competition helped spread the idea of Olympism across Europe.

After France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War, the educator Pierre de Coubertin wanted to revitalize the Games to enhance French physical prowess and prepare for future conflicts. Supported by European aristocracy, Coubertin established the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, which organized the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

The IOC’s early composition was elitist and initially barred women and professionals, favoring amateurism. This prevented many, particularly those from working-class backgrounds, from participating. Coubertin’s Eurocentric and imperialist views led to feminist and labor movements creating different versions of the competition to try and rival the Olympics. The most famous example was The People’s Olympiad of 1936, which should have been in Barcelona during the Second Spanish Republic.

The Olympics have mirrored broader geopolitical tensions since their inception. For instance, the 1920 Antwerp Olympics excluded the defeated nations of World War I, reflecting revanchist attitudes. When Germany was readmitted, Adolf Hitler used the 1936 Berlin Olympics to popularize and whitewash his Nazi regime. Despite major calls for a boycott, the Games were a propaganda success for Germany. Nevertheless, a Black American athlete, Jesse Owens challenged Aryanism by winning four gold medals.

The Games became an even bigger propaganda show during the Cold War. The USSR joined the Olympic Games in 1952 and invested around $8.2 billion of today’s money preparing for that edition. The Soviets wanted to demonstrate the superiority of the communist system over America’s capitalist system by competing in the medal table.

Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has faced boycotts and protests, culminating in the 1972 Munich attack by Black September, which targeted Israeli athletes. The Palestinian Liberation Organization has also used the Games to garner international support, though Palestine’s IOC membership was only granted in 1993. Taiwan, in conflict with China, has competed under the name “Chinese Taipei” since 1979 after both countries reached an agreement.

There has also been room for social and political protests. During the 1968 Mexico City Games medal ceremony, Tommie Smith and John Carlos’s Black Power salute symbolized the Civil Rights movement in the United States. In this year’s Paris opening ceremony, French colonial-era conflicts remained present. The Algerian team honored the victims of the 1961 French massacre of Algerians by tossing red roses over the Seine River.

Olympians have also been involved in public relations disputes and marketing moves during these events. Most notably, Michael Jordan, a Nike-sponsored athlete, famously covered the Reebok logo of his USA team jacket during the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games medal ceremony.

In recent years, the Olympics have continued to reflect global trends. The 2008 Beijing Games marked China’s emergence as a global power, while the 2022 Beijing Winter Games highlighted ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly with the U.S. staging a diplomatic boycott. Russia’s actions, including the invasion of Ukraine, have led to sanctions and exclusion from the Games. Russia responded by hosting its own international sports events, echoing past Soviet practices.

Another current controversy involves Israel’s actions in Gaza, which many have said should have resulted in its expulsion from the competition. This renewed fervor underscores how the Olympics have been, and continue to be, intertwined with global politics, challenging the notion that the claws of politics are incapable of scratching the biggest sports event in the world.