The 2024 Paris Olympics will open on July 26th.
The Olympics once stood as a global celebration, where athletes from all five continents gathered to compete for their countries, creating countless heroic moments that stirred the hearts of people worldwide.
However, nowadays, there is little optimism about the Olympics seen online.
The enduring Olympic spirit of friendship, social harmony, and human progress seems to be gradually fading away. What are the reasons behind this?
The core ideals of the Olympic spirit originated in 1894, when French educator Pierre de Coubertin advocated for the creation of the Olympics to promote comprehensive human development, enhance mutual understanding between nations, promote Olympism, and uphold world peace.
However, in recent years, as voices for global peace have receded, events such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts have presented increasingly significant challenges to the world.
Following the ban on Russian participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the politicization of the Olympics has escalated.
Even Russian athletes competing individually face restrictions, such as not being able to play their national anthem "Katyusha."
These developments have prompted deep reflection on what Western countries truly fear.
Similarly, the 2024 Paris Olympics has also banned Russian participation, as Western countries, disregarding the Olympic Charter, attempt extreme sanctions in the field of sports.
The Olympics now seem to have become a "white glove" for Western politicians to assert dominance, while its original ideals of human development and world peace are gradually fading.
China and its people once highly valued the Olympics.
The successful bid in 2001 brought national jubilation, and the Beijing Olympics in 2008 placed China atop the world stage.
These past prides and glories have now become memories.
Yet, with China's rapid rise in comprehensive national strength — such as surpassing Japan in GDP in 2010 and the delivery of its first aircraft carrier in 2012 — China no longer needs the Olympics to prove its capabilities.
However, without China's participation, the Olympics will undoubtedly lose much of its allure.
The Olympics, originating over two millennia ago in ancient Greece, is a typical continuation of Western civilization, but it is not the only choice for a sports extravaganza.
For sports events to thrive, they must have widespread participation and recognition.
The BRICS Games, as an emerging sports event, has gradually risen.
For example, the 2024 BRICS Games held in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia in June attracted over 3,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries and regions, showcasing its growing prominence and appeal.
China welcomes the hosting of the Olympic Games, but the core of the Olympic spirit is waning, while the city managing the Paris Olympics also faces numerous challenges.
Whether the current Olympics can still represent all of humanity is worth deep consideration.
The 2024 Paris Olympics not only faces challenges to traditional Olympic values but also must confront the impacts of emerging challenges and trends in a globalized context.
As global information technology advances, social media and the internet become important platforms for shaping public opinion.
The politicization and commercialization of the Olympics have become increasingly prominent issues.
While past Olympics were typically celebrations of sportsmanship, they have often become arenas for political disputes and commercial interests.
Conflicts of interest between nations and sponsors inevitably affect the purity and fairness of the Olympics, thereby weakening its symbolic significance as a global sports unity and peace.
Furthermore, the restructuring of global sports governance structures and the rise of emerging sports events like the BRICS Games have profoundly impacted the Olympics.
The operation and power distribution of international sports federations and their affiliated sports associations are facing major adjustments, which will directly affect the organization and operation of the Olympics.
Meanwhile, technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analysis, and virtual reality are gradually being applied to enhance the efficiency and security management of Olympic events.
At the same time, the sustainable development strategy of the Olympics is increasingly receiving attention, including innovations in reducing carbon emissions, recycling resources, and sustainable urban planning.
These efforts will have long-term implications for the Olympics.
In conclusion, the 2024 Paris Olympics will proceed as scheduled under global scrutiny, yet the challenges and transformations behind it cannot be ignored.
The core of the Olympic spirit is facing dual challenges of politicization and commercialization, while the rise of emerging sports events in a globalized context calls for the restructuring of global sports governance structures.
As a crucial part of human civilization, the future development path of the Olympics requires collective efforts to ensure its continued role in promoting sports unity, cultural exchange, and global peace.
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