Understanding Olympic Ideals

By Heather L. Reid and Rafael Mendoza

What makes something Olympic? There are Olympic athletes, Olympic sports, Olympic symbols, Olympic committees. There was an ancient Olympic festival, a modern Olympic revival, and recurring Olympic Games that will continue into the foreseeable future. What do all of these things have in common? Our answer to that question is "ideas," more specifically, the ideals expressed by a philosophy called "Olympism." The purpose of this book is to explain that philosophy in terms of its enduring ideals, which align with the official Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship. Our account is not "official," however, rather it draws upon perspectives from ancient Greece, Pierre de Coubertin, and interdisciplinary sport studies to interpret the Olympism described in the Olympic Charter as a living philosophy able to guide the activity of anyone inspired by Olympic ideals.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1942495811
• ISBN13: 9781942495819
• Release Date: May 2026
• Publisher: Parnassos Press - Fonte Aretusa
• Length: 134 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"