The spirit of Olympics has ever since its inception inspired youth to participate in sports and stay healthy, bring pride to their nation and uphold the moral of unity in diversity. Olympics are changing with changing circumstances but they haven't led down their regards for rules and regulations. There have been glitches but there never have been any downfalls.
Here are some facts, quotes and arguments to help you face
Group Discussions on Olympics. Also provided is a list of GD topic related to Olympics.
Some facts about Olympics:
- Abebe Bikila from Ethiopia was the first African to win the gold medal for the marathon in the 1960 Rome Olympics. He ran the race barefoot, putting to shame all expensive footwear brands.
- The first drug test at the Olympics happened in 1968 in Mexico City when Sweden's Hans-Gunnar Liljenwall was banned from the modern pentathlon for drinking too much beer.
- In 1964 Tokyo Games, Swedish sailing brothers Lars Gunnar Kall and Stig Lennart Kall risked their medal and changed course to rescue two fellow competitors from a capsized boat. They were awarded the first official Fair Play award for their show of sportsmanship during the Games, which continues to this day.
- The gold medals are actually silver, with gold plating. If they were pure gold, the 14-ounce medals would have a value around $25,000.
- The story of the Olympic torch relay dates back an ancient tradition started by the Greeks in 776 B.C. and resumed when the modern Olympics took place.
- In ancient Greece, athletes had to parade around naked, and only men were allowed to compete. The word "gymnasium" comes from the Greek "gymnos," which means "naked."
Possible group discussion topics on Olympics:
1. Are the Olympic Games a sustainable legacy or an expensive luxury?
2. Should India host the Olympics?
3. Hosting Olympics is a huge waste of money.
4. Should doping be allowed for athletes?
5. Paralympics and Olympic gold winners should get the same award.
6. Target shooting at Olympics and gun control cannot happen at the same time.
7. Transgender should be allowed to compete in Olympics.
8. Women with naturally high testosterone level should not be banned in the competitions.
9. Should e-sports be allowed to enter Olympics?
10. What is the reason for India's poor performance at Olympics?
11. Sexist coverage of Olympics should be stopped.
12. Should Russia be banned from Olympics?
13. Is T20 the right format for cricket's entry into Olympics?
Some quotes that can be used in the Group Discussion on Olympics:
"All I've done is run fast. I don't see why people should make much fuss about that."
- Fanny Blankers-Koen
"The Olympics are a wonderful metaphor for world cooperation, the kind of international competition that's wholesome and healthy, interplay between countries that represents the best in all of us."
- John Williams
Pros of hosting Olympics:
1. Tourism: The tourism industry gets the best ever boost as there is a lot of publicity and attracts sports lovers from across the globe.
2. Developing sports centres: It will boost the confidence of the athletes in the country to endeavour more and authorities will work on improving facilities.
3. Global recognition: The honour of being the host of an internationally recognised event! It does help you in getting more business for the country.
4. Creates jobs: More openings for the locals and ex-athletes.
Cons of hosting Olympics:
1. Expense: For an economy under debt and striving to fulfil the needs of its citizen, this would draw criticism.
2. Negative publicity: If your cities are not prepared for it, be ready for negative publicity from athletes, media and visitors.
3. Reprioritising issues: Urgent issues of the country are pushed back to give priority to Olympics alone.
4. Big risks: The commonwealth games, for instance, did not work well for us.
Conclusion:
Hosting Olympics has its advantages which are far more than the disadvantages for a country that has the amenities and infrastructure required for hosting the games. For us, it is still a distant dream.
We hope that you find this
GD guide on Olympics useful for your selection process.
