Rings of Fire: The complex relations between Israel and the Olympic Movement

Abstract

While the Olympic dream strives to create a world clean of Politics where athletes from different places and religious compete to be the best, Politics have been playing a key role in the relations between Israel and the Olympic Movement. Israel has boycotted and been excluded from Olympic Games, suffered from terrorism, caused other countries and athletes to boycott or withdraw from competitions and even missed potential medals because of religious reasons. The Munich Massacre, where 11 Israeli athletes, coaches and referees were murdered during the 1972 Olympic Games in West German, is not only a national trauma for Israelis, but also the blackest stain on the Olympic Movement. The Olympic Movement is perceived in Israel first as a memorial to the athletes and not as a global celebration of humanity. This thesis paper will analyze the routes of the complex relations and will examine potential solutions for improvement through hosting Olympic Events in Israel or improving their Olympic Education programs. It will go in depth to the complexity of the relations and examine the difficulties and opportunities that Israel and the Olympic Movement have to improve their relations and create a better sports culture in Israel.