奥运与城市 ： 机遇、野心与失败

The modern Olympic Games, initiated in 1896 after a 1600-year hiatus, were designed to celebrate athleticism and the unity of mankind. However, since their inception, these games have been deeply intertwined with politics. Nations, particularly in Europe during the era of imperialism, fiercely competed to participate. Late entrants like Japan and Russia attempted to join the competition.

Initially intended as a peaceful international gathering, the Olympics were also used to showcase national achievements and propagate ideological viewpoints. The Soviet Union, in particular, boycotted the games until 1952 due to their perception of the Olympics as "bourgeois," opting instead for their own international sports event, the Spartakiads.

A significant turning point came in 1936 during the Berlin Olympics, where the Nazi regime leveraged the games to promote their racial superiority ideology while alleviating international fears of their aggressive expansionism. This event also saw the introduction of several key Olympic symbols and practices, including the torch relay, the use of suggestive imagery in documentaries, and the first television broadcast of the Olympics.

The 1936 Olympics witnessed Jesse Owens winning four gold medals, challenging the Nazi's notion of racial superiority, causing Hitler to avoid meeting Owens. This event sparked discussions in the United States regarding a potential boycott due to the persecution of Jews.

The 1950s saw the emergence of Olympic boycotts, with countries threatening or carrying out them as a form of protest. The push towards commercialization began in the 1980s with the advent of satellite transmission and color TV, turning the Olympics into a spectacle that attracted massive audiences worldwide.

Since then, the Olympic Games have been a subject of both celebration and controversy, often reflecting the political climate of the host country and the global stage. The games have served as a platform for showcasing national pride, promoting ideological views, and fostering international relations. However, they have also faced criticism for issues such as cost overruns, corruption, and social inequality, highlighting the complex relationship between sports and politics.