History of the Olympics

Alexandra: 00:00:11

Hello and welcome to the mirror project.

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We're your hosts, Alexandra.

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Christine: And Christine.

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Alexandra: you're joining us today.

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We're diving into the fascinating

history of the Olympics from its

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origins in ancient Greece to the

modern spectacle we know today.

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With the Summer Olympics in Paris just

around the corner, this episode is

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the perfect opportunity to explore the

rich traditions and transformations

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of the games, and we can't wait

to share our findings with you.

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Whether you're a history buff, a casual

viewer, or just curious about the roots

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of this global event, we hope you enjoy

this journey through time with us.

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Christine: Before we delve into

today's riveting topic, make sure to

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hit that subscribe, or follow button

on your Preferred listening platform.

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Take a moment to do it now

before it slips your mind.

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Trust us, we're not getting

started without you.

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Let's make this journey together.

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All right.

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So before we get into all of the

history that Alexandra pulled together

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for us around the Olympic games I

thought it would be fun to answer

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some questions about the Olympics,

what the Olympics is for both of us.

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So Alexandra, what is your earliest

memory of watching the Olympics?

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Alexandra: I feel like the one that

stands out most vividly is when

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my grandfather had a house in Lake

Tahoe, Nevada, and it was winter.

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So I remember it being the winter Olympics

and I was staying in the sunroom because

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I think we had a full house that trip.

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And I remember the TV was in one

of those like things that you could

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like a cabinet that you could close.

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And I remember Closing all the doors and

just trying to be really quiet and just

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turning on like the news or the Olympics.

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And I remember watching curling.

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I just, that was the first memory that I

have of the Olymp was just, I was, it was

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cold, the sunroom was like mostly window.

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So I saw all this beautiful snow

just gorgeous winter weather.

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And then I was also watching

the winter Olympics and I just

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thought it was so funny watching

the, I guess, athletes like sweep

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the ice.

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Christine: Curling's a funny one.

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Alexandra: So I was like,

that's my first memory.

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But Christine, what, which

one do you remember the summer

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or the Olympic or the winter

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Christine: I think I have earliest

memories is probably the summer

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because similar to you, how you have

the memories being at your family's

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vacation home, I have Similar ones at our

family's beach house in the summertime.

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And we had the kid's room where my

sisters and I stayed the bedroom.

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There was a TV in there and I remember

watching swimming and gymnastics and track

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and field events and things like that.

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But yeah, I, for me, I associate.

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I think first of the summer games before

I do the winter games because my earliest

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memories were of the summer games.

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So that's kind of, kind of cool

that we have different, like

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your first memories are of the

winter games, mine are the summer.

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That's kind of cool.

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Alexandra: think it's also very

valid in terms of our friendship.

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Like of the two of us, I think I'm much

more of a winter and you're much more

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of a summer, like vibes and just in

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general.

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So it's

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Christine: that is funny.

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That's cool.

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Were there, so were there any specific

Olympic events or athletes that like

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stuck with you when you were a kid?

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Alexandra: No, not as a kid.

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No, I didn't.

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Christine: That's okay.

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Alexandra: Yeah I think I

was like, this is so cool.

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Like these athletes have reached

essentially a peak in their athletic

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journey, like making it this far

in terms of competition wise.

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So I thought that was really cool,

but I don't think that there was

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any specific event or athlete.

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I did get an opportunity

in high school, college.

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Yeah.

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I was home for the summer and had an

internship in Laguna beach and my boss,

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her brother, I think was a like No, a

documentary director and it was doing

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a documentary about Carrie Jennings.

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I feel like I probably have to

check, but the beach volleyball

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player who at the time was

preparing to go to the Rio Olympics.

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And so that was really cool.

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We went down for half an hour and watched

her practice and that was really awesome.

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Christine: That

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Alexandra: So I think that's

the only memory I have for that.

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was there a specific event

that inspired you, Christine?

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Did

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Christine: I definitely athletes.

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Like for instance Michael Phelps,

I remember just being in awe of his

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ability and the, particularly the 2008

Beijing Olympics was a pretty historic

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one in terms of what he accomplished.

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And as an athlete, I think he's one of

the most, if not the most decorated.

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A gold medal Olympian or Olympian

in general, like across all of his

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medals, which is pretty, I mean,

it just, it was amazing to see.

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And I think back to

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the U S has been pretty dominant in

gymnastics for the last several decades.

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But I go back and I think about like

Shawn Johnson, like she was and that

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Nastia Liukin, like that was my.

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When I think back to gymnastics as a,

when I was a kid, that was my team.

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And it's so amazing to see the team today

with Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas, what

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she did in London and Rio and With the

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Tokyo Olympics with everything that

happened with Simone not being able to

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compete and seeing Sunni come out and

she became the all around champion.

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And it, you know, it's been very

cool to sort of see how the games

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In terms of gymnastics has affected

so many people, not only in America,

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but around the world with what

these athletes have accomplished.

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And then also I think about like when

I was little for the winter games, I

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always loved skating because it was,

I was a dancer and as a kid, and it

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was the closest that I could relate

to in terms of a sport that I could.

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So I think about Michelle,

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Alexandra: you prefer the

pairs or watching solo dancers

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Christine: you know, I loved them.

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I loved watching both of them.

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I think certainly solo washing

the big, you know, jumps and.

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Turns and those big moments and seeing

that now they're doing like quads and just

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in my mind Defying the laws of physics

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It's pretty amazing to watch but I also

loved the storytelling that came out

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of pear dancing pair ice skating it's

truly a beautiful art form and honestly,

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the fact that they make it look so

effortless, knowing how difficult it is to

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do, Is pretty, I'm like, wow,

what do I do with my life?

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Alexandra: Like, I'm pretty

stable on solid ground,

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right?

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But then you throw in some ice and

a single blade and I'm like, you're

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jumping and I'm not sure that I

would land on that jump normally.

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So it's, uh,

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Christine: never.

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Alexandra: it's incredible to

watch those athletes do that.

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Cause I'm like, well,

this is so beautiful.

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And it's a beautiful and an

appreciation of I don't think I will

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ever, I don't Could do that or want

to attempt it, but it is so, it's so

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interesting what people can do with

their bodies and how, you know, just

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in any sport, but what they can do.

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Christine: Yeah, definitely.

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Awesome.

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Well, yeah, I'm excited to dive

into today's history topic.

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Alexandra, why don't

you take us away here?

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Alexandra: say, you know, for my

lovely internet searching this week.

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I think as we probably all know

that the Olympics has their

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origins in ancient Greece.

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The first recorded Olympic

games took place in

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BCE in Olympia, Greece.

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I'm going to take a stab in the

dark that's where we get the

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name from, but that's just me.

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It was held at a sanctuary

for the site of the gods.

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Olympia was a place of major religious

significance to the ancient Greeks.

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And so the purpose of the games were

to honor Zeus, who was the chief.

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Deity of Greek mythology.

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And the grand temple of two Zeus

was constructed at Olympia, housing

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a massive statue at the gods.

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So we can really kind of see the

ties between not the veneration, but,

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you know, that it was held in honor

of, and it was really tied, not just

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physical, you know, sports, but also

tied to the religious ceremonies.

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The events in the first Olympics

included a state and race.

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Hope I'm saying that correctly.

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A short sprint of about 192 meters

equivalent to the length of a stadium.

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So that's pretty cool.

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A pentathlon, which included

running long jump, a discus throw,

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javelin throw, and wrestling.

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Also included combat

sports wrestling, boxing.

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and pancreation.

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Hope I'm saying that correctly, but

my notes say that it was a brutal

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combination of boxing and wrestling.

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So I'm sure that was rather an

interesting spectator sport.

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And then of course it had

equestrian events like chariot

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racing and horse racing.

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So,

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Christine: That's really

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Alexandra: going to guess that it was a

bit more brutal than the current games.

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Going to

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Christine: Yeah.

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Well, yeah, I think so.

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Sounds like it.

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At least when it comes to

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combat sports.

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Geez.

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Alexandra: You know, and they didn't

have nearly the amount of protective

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wear that people have today.

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So who knows participants those who could

participate in the Olympics were only

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freeborn Greek men and they were, they

actually competed in the nude to celebrate

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the human body and ensure no one cheated.

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So that comment about the protective

wear, yeah, there was none of that.

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So that would be, I don't know, I feel

like that would be slightly uncomfortable

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to Compete in the new just like if

you were on a horse or just anything.

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Anyway, that's

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Christine: I can't imagine

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Alexandra: but hey I guess if you made

it that far you might as well the games

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were held every four years and that

which And that's known as an Olympiad.

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Initially, the games lasted for

just a day and eventually expanded

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into a five day event as more

competition and events were added.

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So it's really interesting to see that

origin compared to what it is today,

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where I think it's what, two weeks?

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Christine: Yeah.

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Alexandra: so it's really gross.

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Christine: Well, there's

so many sports now.

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Alexandra: Yeah.

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Which I know I have a list later down.

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Cause even when I was researching, I was

like, what is included in the Olympic

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games?

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so briefly

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we talked about, Oh, go ahead.

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Christine: It's 19 days.

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The Olympics lasts.

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Alexandra: Wow.

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So it's even longer than I remember.

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Interesting.

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As you mentioned previously, there was

a religious significance to the games.

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So The Olympics usually included

various religious rituals including

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sacrifices to Zeus and other gods.

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Athletes and spectators

participated in these ceremonies.

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I really do hope I say this, right?

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And Ikera was a sacred truce and that

was always observed during the games,

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allowing for athletes and spectators

to travel safely to and from Olympia

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without fear of conflict, which is kind

of cool in a time where people were, I

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don't want to say grabbing for land, but

in the sense of, you know, you didn't

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really get along with your neighboring

cities and countries and peoples.

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So that was really cool.

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Awesome that history of not just

truce, but peace, and that this was

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something to bring people together.

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I like how that's still a theme today.

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And so I have a note here that the

games continued for nearly 12 centuries.

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However, they declined as

Roman influence grew in.

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And in 393 CE, so common era Emperor,

Theodosius I banned the games as part

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of his efforts to promote Christianity

and suppress pagan festivals.

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So I feel like we're seeing some

very similar Themes as we did in

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our last history episode with St.

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Patrick's and just like the shift from

previously predominant, uh, religious

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traditions to more Christianized versions

and what that means for something that

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had been going on for 12 centuries.

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I'm like, that's incredible.

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You're like, all right, now

we're just going to stop

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this, shift it off the side.

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Cause it doesn't fit with our agenda.

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so which.

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You It's kind of the main thing that's

interesting because a lot of the

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games was also about peace and truce.

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And so for that to just kind of go

away is really fascinating to me.

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Christine: Right.

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Yeah.

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I mean, it's kind of, interesting to sort

of think about how long also, how long the

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Roman, like Roman empire held its power.

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If you think about, okay, if the

Olympic games lasted for 12 centuries

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and then I think sometimes I don't

necessarily have a clear map in

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my head of how events unfolded.

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So to think about okay, it wasn't until

393 common era that the Roman empire

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was at its peak of power to suppress

12 centuries worth of tradition.

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It's kind of crazy.

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To think about

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Alexandra: Well, and you look at 776

BCE and I go, Oh, that's not a super

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high number that's not too far back.

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Right.

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Then I'm like no, Alexander.

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We're in 2024 CE.

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That was a long fricking time ago.

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Christine: a very long time ago.

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Isn't it amazing that we can like.

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dig up history from that far back.

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Someone was able to pinpoint when

exactly the Olympics first began.

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That's just incredible.

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I mean, history's wild, man.

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Yeah.

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Alexandra: and like how old it is and

that, you know, it was a Oxford college

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and university was around when the Aztec

empire was coming to peak of power.

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And I'm like, I'm sorry, what it's like

those two events in time, don't in my

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mind seem to go at the same period.

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Um, so that's.

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I'd love to do other history focused

episodes where we can just kind of blow

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not only hopefully our audience's minds,

but our own minds of what was actually

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happening.

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Cause I understand the point of

learning history very linearly,

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Sometimes, and while I know other

things are happening in the world,

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it's just I don't necessarily piece

them all together at the same point.

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Christine: You don't see how,

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you don't see how what's happening

here in South America is happening

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at the same time over here in Europe,

like in your mind, like they're

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two separate things in history.

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So like when you build that bridge and

sort of say, okay, so at this time in the

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world, X, Y, and Z, we're all happening,

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Alexandra: All happening.

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I remember in oh gosh.

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I think it was my art

history class in high school.

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So this was like a while back

and we were, it was the first

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time they'd ran this course.

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Like it was the first time they ever

offered it, but the teacher I think had

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taught other history related courses.

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And she said she had a class previously

that once they finished like the

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Babylonian empire or the mess of

like the different periods and

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groups of that you study in history.

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She had one class who literally thought

that entire group of people just died.

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And then miraculously, like a new

group of people sprouted like that.

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It wasn't continuous.

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And I'm like, okay, at least I've

never I've never gone that far, but

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sometimes, you know, like I know other

stuff is happening, but I just don't

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piece it together with that piece.

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But I was like, that's an interesting

way to think of human history.

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Yes, this group and now they're dead

and this group and now they're dead.

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That's

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Christine: I think it speaks

to how we've been taught, how.

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we've been, how we've been taught history.

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Like we're, I think back to when,

let's say when we were, I was first

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learning world history, you know,

each chapter focuses on a specific

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point in time, let's say, But I don't

think it maybe was as clear how it

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all connected and how, so that's

why you had that situation of people

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thinking like, Oh, so that group died.

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And now this group is over

here and it has risen to power

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or whatever the case may be.

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But no it's how the history

of events occurred and how it

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affected every, not just that one

group, but everything around it.

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So, It was I also heard a very interesting

fact yesterday about how I think it

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was 71 percent of college graduates

haven't read a book since college.

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So if you think about it, People stop

expanding their knowledge their source

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of knowledge at the age of 22 years

old, which I think is insane is quite

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great, like baffling and sane to me.

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But also I think it just

sort of goes to show how.

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Our world is sort of set up right

now in terms of okay, once you finish

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college, you go, you get into the

workforce and for a lot of people

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stop becoming a student, essentially.

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But I think what's truly important is to

continue learning to continue expanding.

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Your worldview, in a sense

by, by reading or by listening

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to audio books or watching.

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I mean, I remember as a kid, my dad

still to this day loves to put the

316

: 00:17:34

history channel on and just, you

know, just continue to not only learn

317

: 00:17:39

new things, but remind yourself of.

318

: 00:17:43

you've already learned because even though

it still is in your brain somewhere it's

319

: 00:17:48

sometimes you forget about stuff anyway.

320

: 00:17:51

That was just a little fun

fact that I heard yesterday.

321

: 00:17:54

I was like, well, I gotta keep

reading guys keep reading.

322

: 00:18:00

Alexandra: Well, maybe this

episode will inspire you to

323

: 00:18:02

read more about the Olympics at

324

: 00:18:03

some point or the history

of ancient Greece.

325

: 00:18:06

But since those were the origins of

the Olympics, why don't we kind of

326

: 00:18:11

move into how it is evolved since,

you know, it started many years ago.

327

: 00:18:17

Christine: That sounds perfect.

328

: 00:18:19

Alexandra: craving more of our company.

329

: 00:18:20

Join the fun over on YouTube at near

project pod, dive deeper into our world,

330

: 00:18:27

engage with us on a whole new level.

331

: 00:18:29

Don't miss out on the excitement Okay.

332

: 00:18:31

So we talked about how with the rise

of the Roman empire and power that the

333

: 00:18:36

games were suppressed and discontinued.

334

: 00:18:39

So kind of the revival of the Olympics

and the modern era began with.

335

: 00:18:43

Baron Pierre de Cupertine, who inspired

by those ancient Greek games aimed

336

: 00:18:49

to promote physical education and

international peace through sport.

337

: 00:18:52

So I like that.

338

: 00:18:53

Again, we see that bridge

of peace and treaty brought

339

: 00:18:56

back to the more modern day.

340

: 00:18:58

So he founded the international

Olympic committee, the IOC in: 1894

341

: 00:19:05

And to me, that still seems.

342

: 00:19:07

Like a while ago.

343

: 00:19:08

So, you know, it's been going

strong for, can I do math?

344

: 00:19:13

Like two, almost two centuries.

345

: 00:19:15

With who Alexander can do math.

346

: 00:19:17

Like maybe she needs to go back to school.

347

: 00:19:19

So the first modern Olympics were

held in Athens, Greece in: 1896

348

: 00:19:24

the modern Olympics featured 14

nations and 241 athletes competing.

349

: 00:19:29

Competing in 43 events, which

include athletics, cycling, fencing,

350

: 00:19:33

gymnastics, shooting, swimming,

tennis, weightlifting, and wrestling.

351

: 00:19:37

So we see some of the older games,

like the wrestling really the wrestling

352

: 00:19:41

athletics.

353

: 00:19:42

Christine: sports.

354

: 00:19:42

Yeah.

355

: 00:19:43

The field sports.

356

: 00:19:44

Yeah.

357

: 00:19:45

Track and field.

358

: 00:19:46

Alexandra: So, but how much it had

expanded, even from, you know, when

359

: 00:19:49

it discontinued to when it picked up.

360

: 00:19:51

So that's really awesome.

361

: 00:19:53

So the Olympic charter established

a set of rules and guidelines

362

: 00:19:56

for the modern Olympics and

emphasized amateurism and fair play.

363

: 00:20:00

So that's pretty cool.

364

: 00:20:01

But, you know, it's like now, when I

think about it I don't know that I would.

365

: 00:20:04

Equate the Olympics with amateurism

because you think of, you know, people

366

: 00:20:07

who have competed throughout years

of prep to, to make it that far,

367

: 00:20:13

Christine: Yes.

368

: 00:20:13

And these are athletes who are

the best of the best in the world

369

: 00:20:18

competing for their country.

370

: 00:20:20

So yeah.

371

: 00:20:21

Wow.

372

: 00:20:22

Alexandra: which I think

that's also interesting, right?

373

: 00:20:24

Because some.

374

: 00:20:25

Some athletes don't compete

with teams or for teams that

375

: 00:20:30

are from their home country.

376

: 00:20:31

So when it comes to the Olympic games,

then they're, you know, if they're on

377

: 00:20:34

a team sport, they're put in with the

team that they don't normally play with.

378

: 00:20:37

So I think that's actually pretty

interesting in that you might be

379

: 00:20:40

playing against your normal teammate

who's playing for a different country.

380

: 00:20:44

Christine: Yes.

381

: 00:20:44

Alexandra: so some growth and changes

to the games over time, obviously

382

: 00:20:48

the inclusion of women was a big one.

383

: 00:20:50

And women were first allowed

to compete in the 19.

384

: 00:20:53

1800 Paris Olympics and events such as

tennis, sailing, croquet equestrianism.

385

: 00:21:00

That's a fun word to say.

386

: 00:21:01

And golf over time, women's participation

has expanded significantly to include

387

: 00:21:06

many of the sports that we now see today.

388

: 00:21:08

I'm trying to think of I think most

of the sports I do watch mostly watch

389

: 00:21:11

the women compete, not so much the

390

: 00:21:13

men.

391

: 00:21:14

Christine: Me too.

392

: 00:21:16

Alexandra: so even from.

393

: 00:21:18

1894, the, there has been a lot of global

expansion in the game, so it's grown to

394

: 00:21:25

over 200 nations and thousands of athletes

competing every time in the games.

395

: 00:21:30

New sports and disciplines are regularly

added to keep the games relevant and

396

: 00:21:34

exciting, so that's kind of cool as

people's taste change in sports or.

397

: 00:21:38

You know, new things come

up, then those get added.

398

: 00:21:40

So

399

: 00:21:40

that's pretty

400

: 00:21:41

Christine: I think it might've been

401

: 00:21:45

the 2020 Olympics or maybe the

one before, maybe it was Rio where

402

: 00:21:50

they added surfing and some other

other sports as well, which I think

403

: 00:21:57

skateboarding was another, so, very cool.

404

: 00:21:59

Yeah.

405

: 00:22:01

Alexandra: And then of course, with a

lot of technological advancements comes

406

: 00:22:05

the innovations of, you know, live

television and broadcasting the game.

407

: 00:22:10

So people can more widely enjoy it.

408

: 00:22:12

Like you don't have to be

physically at the event to see it.

409

: 00:22:15

Which a lot of technology and

logistic advancements have

410

: 00:22:18

also improved sports equipment.

411

: 00:22:21

You know, because earlier we had to

talk about, you know, The ancient

412

: 00:22:23

Greeks competing in the nude.

413

: 00:22:25

People now have protective gear

for sports that require it.

414

: 00:22:28

And training methods.

415

: 00:22:29

I mean, think about how much you know,

if I think about sports, different

416

: 00:22:32

sports athletes, you talk about see

videos or biographies of their training,

417

: 00:22:37

and it's a lot of video of them and

they'll watch and replay to see how

418

: 00:22:40

they can improve, which wouldn't have

been possible before some of this.

419

: 00:22:44

So that's pretty awesome.

420

: 00:22:45

Christine: Yeah.

421

: 00:22:47

Alexandra: And as we mentioned,

it's still a platform for promoting

422

: 00:22:49

peace and international cooperation.

423

: 00:22:52

So I like that

424

: 00:22:52

a lot.

425

: 00:22:53

That's really Amazing That

has stayed throughout time.

426

: 00:22:56

Christine: Absolutely.

427

: 00:22:57

Do we have any info about

the first winter games?

428

: 00:23:01

Alexandra: let me dig

through my notes here.

429

: 00:23:03

Okay.

430

: 00:23:04

So interestingly, the winter

and summer games were held

431

: 00:23:08

in the same year until 1992.

432

: 00:23:11

And then starting in 1994, the

winter games moved to a different

433

: 00:23:14

schedule alternating every two

years with the summer games.

434

: 00:23:17

So each set of games is on a four year

rotation, but we have the Olympics every

435

: 00:23:21

two years, depending on the season.

436

: 00:23:23

Christine: cool.

437

: 00:23:23

Alexandra: So that's pretty cool.

438

: 00:23:25

Also, wow, that it'd be

done in the same year.

439

: 00:23:26

You think about what an event the Olympics

is today to do that twice in a year.

440

: 00:23:32

Christine: I can't imagine that.

441

: 00:23:33

Especially seeing what it's grown to.

442

: 00:23:36

Couldn't imagine.

443

: 00:23:37

Alexandra: So some other things I'll

briefly go through with the expansion

444

: 00:23:40

of the games and the evolution is

the growing influence of commercial

445

: 00:23:44

interests, sponsorship deals and the

economic impact on host cities that have

446

: 00:23:49

raised concerns about the games in them.

447

: 00:23:51

recently seen more of this, I think in the

past couple of years, when you talk about

448

: 00:23:56

the impact of host cities, how much they

like infrastructure they built to host,

449

: 00:24:01

um, the different games from the arenas.

450

: 00:24:05

And then it's such a, can be

such a drain on the hosting city.

451

: 00:24:11

I think I once saw recently a

graphic of saying that London,

452

: 00:24:16

when they had held the games had

an estimated budget of 5 million.

453

: 00:24:21

Pounds to, to create the

infrastructure, set it up, but

454

: 00:24:26

they ended up spending like over 15

455

: 00:24:28

Christine: Yeah, I wasn't, I was

about to say 5 million isn't a lot.

456

: 00:24:32

Alexandra: Yeah no, it wasn't.

457

: 00:24:33

And so that's been a lot of concerns

is about the impact of the games

458

: 00:24:38

on the different countries and

host cities and potentially sustain

459

: 00:24:42

sustainability initiatives and

efforts to make them more friendly.

460

: 00:24:48

You know, sustainable materials,

reducing carbon footprints, ensuring

461

: 00:24:52

long term benefits for host cities.

462

: 00:24:54

I've even heard something about

different groups trying to determine

463

: 00:24:58

ways to create almost collapsible

stadiums in some ways, or seating so

464

: 00:25:02

that they can set them up and then tear

them down without having host cities

465

: 00:25:06

having to build entire complexes.

466

: 00:25:09

So that's pretty cool.

467

: 00:25:10

And I feel of course we've heard

you know, about doping scandals

468

: 00:25:14

and other things throughout the

history of the modern Olympics.

469

: 00:25:18

And from what I was looking at, it

looks like the IOC has very strict anti

470

: 00:25:23

doping measures, which is why there

are such scandals when they happen.

471

: 00:25:25

To think Christine, you mentioned

new sports and inclusivity, and

472

: 00:25:30

adding the skateboard and surfing.

473

: 00:25:31

They even added sport

climbing and karate and Yeah.

474

: 00:25:36

So that's pretty interesting.

475

: 00:25:38

But of that, what did you find most

interesting, Christine, from the evolution

476

: 00:25:43

from what it was in three 93 CE to now,

477

: 00:25:50

Christine: What I found most interesting

was just hearing how the games have

478

: 00:25:55

evolved over the last 130 some odd

years since the first games began.

479

: 00:26:02

And, you know, Seeing that even, Two,

four years ago, games are sports are

480

: 00:26:08

added to the games and seeing, being

able to see people who are at the

481

: 00:26:14

top of their game in surfing or BMX

sports or You know, I think about the

482

: 00:26:19

winter games and some of those sports.

483

: 00:26:21

I'm like, I've only ever seen

these games, these sports at the

484

: 00:26:26

Olympic games, and I don't really

know much about them beyond that.

485

: 00:26:29

So for me, I find that most interesting.

486

: 00:26:31

I learned so much more about

the world of sports in general.

487

: 00:26:34

And I find that it's so inspiring

to see it all come together and

488

: 00:26:40

how the world comes together to, to

compete in sportsmanship, which is

489

: 00:26:45

kind of really cool to think about.

490

: 00:26:47

To the point you made about

infrastructure issues.

491

: 00:26:51

You know, something like a parallel

situation to the Olympics, I think

492

: 00:26:56

is like the world cup because

you know, each time that comes

493

: 00:26:59

around, that's in a different city.

494

: 00:27:01

So while there are like issues in

terms of the drain on resources and the

495

: 00:27:07

displacement it can cause it also, you

know, for every country around the world,

496

: 00:27:13

they, Vi for the opportunity because of

the impact in terms of tourism and what

497

: 00:27:20

that can mean for their account, their

local economy unfortunately, it's not

498

: 00:27:26

a lasting it's a very, you know, short

amount of time, so it's not a lasting

499

: 00:27:32

increase to the, to their economy.

500

: 00:27:34

But I can also see why countries

buy for that opportunity.

501

: 00:27:38

They do have to pay for it though.

502

: 00:27:39

Alexandra: Mean, clearly with the

example of England and spending

503

: 00:27:42

well past their estimated budget,

it makes me do wonder, like, how

504

: 00:27:46

much does the boost in, in, Tourism

actually benefit or offset the costs.

505

: 00:27:52

I'd be curious to dig into that

a little bit more, but I was,

506

: 00:27:56

Christine: Break down the numbers.

507

: 00:27:57

Alexandra: did not research that.

508

: 00:27:59

Christine: Numbers, okay.

509

: 00:28:00

No, it's just interesting.

510

: 00:28:01

It's you know, like a lot of things.

511

: 00:28:05

A lot of issues, there's two sides

to the issue, so you have to weigh

512

: 00:28:10

the pros and cons of each issue.

513

: 00:28:13

So for, anyway, we can talk

on and on about all that.

514

: 00:28:17

But for me, those are the, those are some

of the things that stick out the most.

515

: 00:28:21

Alexandra: So before I jump into fun facts

that found out about the games, let me

516

: 00:28:26

do a quick rundown of the list of sports.

517

: 00:28:29

I don't know that this is the most

comprehensive, but this is what I found

518

: 00:28:31

this week for the winter and the summer.

519

: 00:28:36

So summer includes archery, track and

field athletics, batman, baseball,

520

: 00:28:40

softball, basketball, boxing,

canoeing, kayaking, cycling, road,

521

: 00:28:45

track, mountain bike, BMX, diving,

equestrian fencing, field hockey,

522

: 00:28:50

football or soccer, golf, gymnastics,

artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline,

523

: 00:28:54

handball, judo, modern pentathlon,

rowing, rugby, sevens, and more.

524

: 00:28:59

Not sure what that is.

525

: 00:29:00

Sailing, shooting, skateboarding, sport,

climbing, surfing, swimming, table tennis,

526

: 00:29:03

Taekwondo, tennis, triathlon volleyball,

both indoor and beach weightlifting

527

: 00:29:10

and wrestling freestyle or Greco Roman.

528

: 00:29:13

Whereas the winter Olympics

is a much more concise list.

529

: 00:29:18

Alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh,

cross country skiing curling,

530

: 00:29:24

figure skating, freestyle skiing.

531

: 00:29:26

Ice hockey, luge, Nordic combined.

532

: 00:29:29

I actually don't know what that is.

533

: 00:29:31

Short track, speed skating, skeleton.

534

: 00:29:35

I'm not sure what that is either.

535

: 00:29:36

Ski jumping, snowboarding,

and speed skating.

536

: 00:29:38

But from that list, luge

always freaks me out.

537

: 00:29:42

Like I, I don't know how those

athletes do it, like just to get

538

: 00:29:45

on a tiny anyways, but yeah, I

539

: 00:29:49

Christine: Well, what's even more

scary, you said you, skeleton,

540

: 00:29:53

that's when they get on a tiny sled

head first and go down super fast.

541

: 00:29:58

That's skeleton.

542

: 00:29:59

Alexandra: Why?

543

: 00:30:00

Christine: I don't know.

544

: 00:30:03

Alexandra: You know, sometimes I have to

wonder the people who develop these sports

545

: 00:30:06

are like, yeah, that's a great idea.

546

: 00:30:09

Just Ooh, is it, or it's that quick death

547

: 00:30:12

sentence.

548

: 00:30:12

Christine: you have to be a certain

kind of person, crazy, to do that.

549

: 00:30:19

Alexandra: that is very true, Christine.

550

: 00:30:21

Let me wrap up into some quick

fun facts because I know Christine

551

: 00:30:25

had done some research on some

pivotal moments and things

552

: 00:30:27

throughout the history of the games.

553

: 00:30:29

So fun fact about the Olympic flame

this tradition dates back to ancient,

554

: 00:30:34

the ancient Greek games where the

flame burned throughout the event.

555

: 00:30:37

So the modern torch relay was first

introduced in the: 1936

556

: 00:30:43

So that's kind of a cool nod or homage

to the original in a, I think a much

557

: 00:30:49

more, I was in sometimes dramatic event

because I feel like if I'm going to

558

: 00:30:53

watch the Olympics, I always want to

watch the opening ceremony and that

559

: 00:30:56

relay.

560

: 00:30:57

Christine: Really interesting to think

ut that was introduced at the: 1936

561

: 00:31:02

Berlin Games because that

Olympic Games was held right

562

: 00:31:07

before the second world war.

563

: 00:31:08

So, learning about the history of that

games in particular was it's interesting

564

: 00:31:13

to, to see the correlation there.

565

: 00:31:15

Okay.

566

: 00:31:15

Continue.

567

: 00:31:16

Sorry.

568

: 00:31:16

Yeah.

569

: 00:31:21

Alexandra: specifically talking about

this event, but what we talked about

570

: 00:31:23

earlier, it's like talking about this in

a more linear fashion, but then going, Oh

571

: 00:31:27

yeah, what is also going on at that time?

572

: 00:31:29

So the gold medals are not currently

made entirely of gold since: 1912

573

: 00:31:35

They have been predominantly

silver with gold plating.

574

: 00:31:37

The last solid gold medal was awarded

in the: 1912

575

: 00:31:42

if you've ever wondered why all the

Olympic rings are different colors, that's

576

: 00:31:47

because the Olympic flag represents the

five inhabited continents of Africa,

577

: 00:31:52

the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

578

: 00:31:55

And we're designed by the man who

Kind of founded the IOC, Baron

579

: 00:32:01

Pierre de Coubertin in 1913.

580

: 00:32:03

And so the colored rings are blue,

yellow, black, green, and red.

581

: 00:32:07

And along with a white, black, along with

a white background, it includes at least

582

: 00:32:12

one color from every country's flags.

583

: 00:32:14

So I like that, that again, kind

of ties back into that piece and

584

: 00:32:18

international cooperation aspect.

585

: 00:32:20

Christine: Absolutely.

586

: 00:32:21

Alexandra: That's really fun.

587

: 00:32:23

The youngest Olympian was 10 years

ld competing in gymnastics in: 1896

588

: 00:32:30

and his name was Demetrios Londras.

589

: 00:32:35

Whereas the oldest Olympian was Oscar

Swain, a Swedish shooter who competed

590

: 00:32:40

in 1920 Antwerp games at the age of 72.

591

: 00:32:45

So

592

: 00:32:46

I like how that

593

: 00:32:48

Christine: Oh,

594

: 00:32:48

Alexandra: probably

depending on your sport,

595

: 00:32:50

Christine: and he won a medal.

596

: 00:32:53

Alexandra: silver

597

: 00:32:53

medal in team shooting.

598

: 00:32:55

Christine: so cool.

599

: 00:32:56

Good for him.

600

: 00:32:58

Age is just a number.

601

: 00:33:02

Alexandra: certainly is.

602

: 00:33:03

and while I was researching this, I was

like, why is there something in my head?

603

: 00:33:06

I feel like like a sport or

event was named after something.

604

: 00:33:10

Like an ancient Greek, you know, battle.

605

: 00:33:14

And so that was sticking around

in my head, but it actually makes

606

: 00:33:17

sense because the first marathon was

troduced into the Olympics in: 1896

607

: 00:33:20

And the the distance was

approximately 40 kilometers or 24.

608

: 00:33:25

85 miles and was inspired by This

is where the, you know, the distant

609

: 00:33:30

ringing bells were like something here.

610

: 00:33:32

It was inspired by the legendary

run of, phytopides, I hope I

611

: 00:33:37

said that correctly from the

battlefield of marathon to Athens.

612

: 00:33:41

So the standard marathon

distance is now 42.

613

: 00:33:44

195 kilometers

614

: 00:33:46

or 26.

615

: 00:33:47

2 miles established in 1908.

616

: 00:33:51

Christine: Etymology is awesome.

617

: 00:33:52

Can I just say etymology is awesome?

618

: 00:33:55

Okay, that's really cool.

619

: 00:33:56

I had no idea.

620

: 00:33:58

Alexandra: Yeah.

621

: 00:33:59

Because I was

622

: 00:33:59

Christine: Marathon to Athens.

623

: 00:34:01

Whoa,

624

: 00:34:03

Alexandra: Right.

625

: 00:34:03

Christine: that's a fact I had no idea.

626

: 00:34:05

So I don't know how many other people did.

627

: 00:34:07

If you knew that,

628

: 00:34:08

cool.

629

: 00:34:09

Alexandra: And I, feel like

that was the only thing I kind

630

: 00:34:11

of knew about the Olympics.

631

: 00:34:12

I was like, okay, there's

something tied to marathon.

632

: 00:34:15

And it was tied to this

person who made a run.

633

: 00:34:18

I couldn't remember where from

clearly marathon to somewhere

634

: 00:34:21

else in ancient Greece.

635

: 00:34:23

I was like, there's something about this.

636

: 00:34:24

So when I found that

fact, I was like, Oh, wow.

637

: 00:34:26

This is it.

638

: 00:34:26

This is the thing.

639

: 00:34:27

I got super, super geeked out on that.

640

: 00:34:31

Um, and for a short time between

relatively short between: 1912

641

: 00:34:38

and 1948, the Olympics included

a competition in the arts.

642

: 00:34:43

So that's kind of interesting.

643

: 00:34:44

Medals were awarded for

architecture, literature,

644

: 00:34:46

music, painting, and sculpture.

645

: 00:34:49

Christine: Wow.

646

: 00:34:51

Why did they take it away?

647

: 00:34:53

I guess it's not sport.

648

: 00:34:55

Alexandra: Yeah, that would be my guess.

649

: 00:34:58

Christine: Bring it Back!

650

: 00:35:01

I love the arts, but that's it.

651

: 00:35:03

Because I've been,

652

: 00:35:06

Alexandra: and so We're recently talking

about the impact on the host cities

653

: 00:35:09

and some of that impact is due to the

Olympic village which was a concept

654

: 00:35:13

first introduced in 1932 in the Los

Angeles games where all the athletes

655

: 00:35:18

from different countries live together.

656

: 00:35:20

Christine: I think that's really awesome.

657

: 00:35:21

Have speaking of I follow the Olympics

on Instagram and I've actually been

658

: 00:35:27

following it for a long time, but just

seeing all the things coming out of this

659

: 00:35:35

upcoming game in terms of they gave a

look inside the Olympic village in Paris.

660

: 00:35:40

It's just really incredible to see

and to think about all, how all

661

: 00:35:44

these athletes will be able to just.

662

: 00:35:46

be together.

663

: 00:35:47

I think that's really kind of cool.

664

: 00:35:49

It really encourages one of the things

I love most about sportsmanship, which

665

: 00:35:53

is the fact that What is bringing you

all together is this game, but then

666

: 00:35:59

beyond that it's a chance for you to

sort of get to know people who you

667

: 00:36:04

otherwise wouldn't be able to meet.

668

: 00:36:06

That's kind of really cool to think about.

669

: 00:36:09

So before we head into our last

section here I have a couple

670

: 00:36:13

more questions for us to answer.

671

: 00:36:15

Alexandra.

672

: 00:36:16

Alexandra: Sure.

673

: 00:36:17

Christine: How do you think the Olympics

have influenced global culture and unity?

674

: 00:36:23

Alexandra: Well, I think in many

ways, like we've talked about that,

675

: 00:36:26

it really kind of that tradition of

peace and international cooperation.

676

: 00:36:30

I think we can continue to see that

throughout, whether it's a bunch

677

: 00:36:34

of different athletes from many

countries all over the world going

678

: 00:36:36

to one central location to compete.

679

: 00:36:39

I mean, in a different country

that may not be their home

680

: 00:36:41

country, which is pretty cool.

681

: 00:36:45

I think sports also gives a People,

even people who are not participating

682

: 00:36:50

in the sport, it's a sense of identity.

683

: 00:36:53

So that's really interesting to say

Oh, my team is, you know, at the

684

: 00:36:57

Olympics and this is what their compete.

685

: 00:36:58

So I think that's kind of an interesting

way for people who are not actually

686

: 00:37:03

like the spectators to participate.

687

: 00:37:05

But yeah, other than that's the

first thing that came top of mind.

688

: 00:37:09

Christine: I think also to your point

about unity the fact that your team

689

: 00:37:13

is your country, like you're wearing

your country's flag as your uniform.

690

: 00:37:19

I think that is such,

691

: 00:37:23

it's so cool.

692

: 00:37:24

It's so cool to think about.

693

: 00:37:26

That's really quite impactful to

sort of step back and think about

694

: 00:37:32

you know, your, you are representing

the country that you come from.

695

: 00:37:37

I think it's kind of,

696

: 00:37:40

Not only unifying in terms of the

world, but also for your country.

697

: 00:37:45

I think, you know, the last several

years, several years here in

698

: 00:37:51

America has been quite at times

699

: 00:37:54

the opposite of unifying.

700

: 00:37:57

So I, it's nice to sort

of have something to.

701

: 00:38:02

Rep to sort of represent what

we could become again, I guess.

702

: 00:38:07

So that's sort of, what I

think about in terms of how it

703

: 00:38:10

influences culture and unity.

704

: 00:38:13

But are there any moments that you can.

705

: 00:38:16

Think of that have significantly impacted

societal issues or brought about change.

706

: 00:38:24

Alexandra: Not off the top of

my head because I'm only like a

707

: 00:38:27

light follower of the Olympics.

708

: 00:38:28

But I do think I'm going to hold on

that because I'm pretty sure you've

709

: 00:38:31

got some fun facts coming up and some

interesting things in the next section.

710

: 00:38:35

So I'm going to put a pin in that one

711

: 00:38:37

Christine: Yes.

712

: 00:38:37

Yeah, that's a good point.

713

: 00:38:38

But I mean, you can see

a couple of years ago.

714

: 00:38:42

I think there's a lot of

people who say like athletes

715

: 00:38:47

shouldn't be there.

716

: 00:38:48

They're for the games, they're

there for sport but also it's an

717

: 00:38:51

incredible opportunity for athletes.

718

: 00:38:54

They have a voice and if they have

something they want to share, I feel

719

: 00:38:59

like that should be respected whether

you agree with it or you don't.

720

: 00:39:02

So I always sort of find it very

721

: 00:39:05

in my mind, it's a very I think it's

quite brave of them for not only are

722

: 00:39:10

they at the top of their game in terms

of their sport that they're competing

723

: 00:39:15

in, but the fact that they're putting

themselves out there to talk about

724

: 00:39:18

something that is an important issue

that they want to bring attention to.

725

: 00:39:23

I think that's for and as a result

open themselves up for criticism I

726

: 00:39:29

think that's quite, That speaks volumes

to, to, to their character as well.

727

: 00:39:34

All right.

728

: 00:39:36

So I feel like that is a perfect

opportunity for me to open this

729

: 00:39:41

next section which is talking about

memorable moments in Olympic history.

730

: 00:39:46

So the first one that I wanted to bring up

happened in: 1936

731

: 00:39:52

And Jesse Owens.

732

: 00:39:54

So in the, for some context in the

midst of Nazi Germany, so this is right

733

: 00:39:59

before this to right before world two

began African American athlete Jesse

734

: 00:40:05

Owens defied Hitler's ideology . He won

four gold medals in track and field.

735

: 00:40:12

Incredible.

736

: 00:40:12

Also, can we just stop and think the, all

of the athletes competing in these games

737

: 00:40:16

from America, they took a boat to Germany.

738

: 00:40:19

There was no plane flying them.

739

: 00:40:20

That's how that's how they were

able to travel at the time.

740

: 00:40:24

So, yeah, so his performance was a

powerful statement against racism and

741

: 00:40:29

a defining moment in Olympic history.

742

: 00:40:31

At the 1960 Rome Olympics, a

Bibb bikila co competed in the

743

: 00:40:39

marathon, but did it barefoot.

744

: 00:40:42

Originally from Ethiopia.

745

: 00:40:44

He, won the gold medal and set a new

world record all while being barefoot.

746

: 00:40:49

He became the first African to

win an Olympic gold medal, and

747

: 00:40:52

Inspired future generations of

athletes from that continent.

748

: 00:40:57

Alexandra: I mean, but earlier we

talked about how far, you know,

749

: 00:41:01

a marathon and how long of a

distance this and to do so barefoot.

750

: 00:41:04

Whoa.

751

: 00:41:05

I mean, granted, I say that as somebody

who has pretended and tried to be a

752

: 00:41:10

runner in the past and has not succeeded

with any great success, who has not

753

: 00:41:15

done well with any great success.

754

: 00:41:17

So

755

: 00:41:18

hats off to him.

756

: 00:41:19

My goodness.

757

: 00:41:20

So what other interesting

facts and stories and

758

: 00:41:23

pivotal moments do you have for us,

759

: 00:41:25

Christine: Okay next one I have is

at the: 1976

760

: 00:41:31

Komanec achieved a perfect ten.

761

: 00:41:35

In gymnastics.

762

: 00:41:35

She was 14 years old from Romania

and she stunned the world when

763

: 00:41:41

she scored the first perfect 10

in Olympic gymnastics history.

764

: 00:41:45

This then raised the bar for excellence in

gymnastics, inspired future generations.

765

: 00:41:50

And I don't know if since a perfect 10

has been awarded at the Olympics, I feel

766

: 00:41:54

like they're always able to find something

to, I mean, you know, You see Simone

767

: 00:42:01

Biles and she's not awarded Perfect Ten?

768

: 00:42:04

I'm sorry.

769

: 00:42:06

It's crazy to me.

770

: 00:42:07

The bar for Olympic gymnastics

anyway the next one I actually

771

: 00:42:12

love the movie Disney made.

772

: 00:42:15

It's from the 1980 Winter Olympics

and it's known as The Miracle in Ice.

773

: 00:42:20

So for those that don't know for

context, this is Cold War era.

774

: 00:42:25

The Winter Olympics

was held here in the U.

775

: 00:42:28

S., and the U.

776

: 00:42:30

S.

777

: 00:42:30

hockey team was facing the

heavily favored Soviet team.

778

: 00:42:34

At the time the Soviets were sort

of ruling the world of hockey.

779

: 00:42:40

Hockey in the Olympics.

780

: 00:42:42

The U.

781

: 00:42:42

S.

782

: 00:42:42

Then I unexpectedly beat them and

wound up winning the Gold medal.

783

: 00:42:49

And this, you know, the impact of this

symbol symbolized American's resilience

784

: 00:42:53

and became an enduring sports legend.

785

: 00:42:55

And I Encourage you if you are at

all interested in learning about this

786

: 00:43:00

Disney did a wonderful film called The

Miracle on Ice with oh, what's his name?

787

: 00:43:06

Kurt Russell.

788

: 00:43:07

Kurt Russell as the head coach of

the team and also another fun fact

789

: 00:43:12

about this, I think this was the last

Olympics where they used amateur, I

790

: 00:43:19

use amateur uh, amateur hockey players.

791

: 00:43:24

And also I think that expanded to a

lot of sports for the Olympics and

792

: 00:43:29

they started using, creating what they

call great dream teams, which is where

793

: 00:43:33

they take professional athletes who

can, who, You know, who are part of

794

: 00:43:39

the sports teams across the country to,

to create quote unquote dream teams.

795

: 00:43:44

So, anyway very cool story.

796

: 00:43:47

That one speaking of dream teams 1992

Barcelona Olympics the U S meds basketball

797

: 00:43:54

team featured stars like Michael Jordan,

magic Johnson, and Larry bird, three

798

: 00:43:58

Titans of basketball history to be a

part of what was called the dream team.

799

: 00:44:05

The team dominated the competition,

winning the gold medal, and it's

800

: 00:44:10

considered the greatest basketball

team ever assembled and helped

801

: 00:44:13

popularize the NBA around the world.

802

: 00:44:16

Which is super cool.

803

: 00:44:18

Let me see.

804

: 00:44:19

Also at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics,

Derek Redmond he was a British

805

: 00:44:25

sprinter who tore his hamstring

during the 400 meter semifinal.

806

: 00:44:31

Despite the injury, he continued the

race with the help of his father who

807

: 00:44:35

came down to the track to support him

which is Pretty emotional to think about.

808

: 00:44:40

This moment is celebrated as

a symbol of perseverance and

809

: 00:44:42

strength of the human spirit.

810

: 00:44:45

Alexandra: Well, I love that, right?

811

: 00:44:47

You had talked about most impactful

moments of games and stuff, and I

812

: 00:44:49

think I like that about Olympics and

sports and stuff when people help

813

: 00:44:55

other people finish what they start.

814

: 00:44:57

And it makes me think of, I think,

something from, I think, the Olympics

815

: 00:45:00

Games Creed or their I guess one

of the IOC documents, I'm guessing.

816

: 00:45:04

But I remember hearing the most

important thing in the Olympics game

817

: 00:45:07

is not to win, but to take part.

818

: 00:45:09

And I feel like that's a

beautiful representation of it.

819

: 00:45:12

And that, you know, somebody who even his

father, you know, hopped on the track and

820

: 00:45:17

was You finish.

821

: 00:45:17

I think that's a beautiful, instead

of people going, you know, or giving

822

: 00:45:21

up, I'm not going to finish just

somebody helping you get there.

823

: 00:45:25

And I think that's kind of, you

said an emotional finish, but

824

: 00:45:27

Christine: yeah.

825

: 00:45:29

I

826

: 00:45:29

also,

827

: 00:45:29

Alexandra: I love, moments like

828

: 00:45:30

Christine: yeah, absolutely.

829

: 00:45:31

Well, it's

830

: 00:45:32

Alexandra: not that he was injured.

831

: 00:45:33

Not that he was injured, but

832

: 00:45:34

Christine: shows the beautiful

humanity and in all of it.

833

: 00:45:36

And to the point of, to your point,

I also love seeing those stories

834

: 00:45:40

of when athletes help each other,

835

: 00:45:43

despite the competition you know, at the

end of the day, we're all human beings.

836

: 00:45:49

That I think is more, more

important than any metal.

837

: 00:45:54

So supporting one another.

838

: 00:45:56

Absolutely.

839

: 00:45:57

All right here, I'll go

through a couple more quickly.

840

: 00:46:01

I mentioned this earlier, but at the

: 2008

841

: 00:46:06

had a record breaking performance.

842

: 00:46:08

He aimed to break the record

for most gold medals in a single

843

: 00:46:11

Olympics, and he achieved just that.

844

: 00:46:15

He won eight gold medals, surpassing

Mark Spitz's record who won, I believe,

845

: 00:46:22

seven at the 1972 Munich games

846

: 00:46:25

and this solidified him as one of

the greatest Olympians of all time.

847

: 00:46:29

I think if you ask anybody

848

: 00:46:31

for a an Olympian in modern history, I'm

sure Michael Phelps is in the top, if

849

: 00:46:38

not number one, the top three for people.

850

: 00:46:40

So yes, just an incredible

athlete seeing what he achieved.

851

: 00:46:45

And to this day, how he still

supports the Olympics and, you

852

: 00:46:49

know, as a commentator now, and I

mean, it's just kind of cool to see.

853

: 00:46:54

Alexandra: Really?

854

: 00:46:55

Christine: Okay.

855

: 00:46:55

I would be remiss if I don't talk

about Usain Bolt's dominance at the

856

: 00:47:00

2008, 2012, 2016 Summer Olympics.

857

: 00:47:04

For those who don't know who Usain Bolt

is, he's a Jamaican sprinter and is

858

: 00:47:08

widely regarded as the fastest man alive.

859

: 00:47:11

He won eight gold medals across three

Olympic games, setting world records in

860

: 00:47:15

the hundred meter and 200 meter races.

861

: 00:47:18

And his, Electrifying performances

and charismatic personality made

862

: 00:47:23

him a global superstar and a

symbol of athletic excellence.

863

: 00:47:27

Very cool to see.

864

: 00:47:28

Also, just Jamaica in general, their

competition, both men and women, in track

865

: 00:47:34

and field sporting events, they dominate.

866

: 00:47:37

Olympics.

867

: 00:47:38

Alexandra: That's incredible.

868

: 00:47:39

Mm

869

: 00:47:40

Christine: Alexandra mentioned, Earlier

about teammates who end up competing

870

: 00:47:45

against each other because they go

back and compete for their home country

871

: 00:47:49

in two at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

872

: 00:47:51

That was when we first saw

the refugee Olympic team.

873

: 00:47:55

this was created in response

to the global refugee crisis.

874

: 00:47:59

The IOC created a team for those athletes.

875

: 00:48:02

The team competed under the Olympic flag.

876

: 00:48:05

Raising awareness for millions

of displaced people worldwide.

877

: 00:48:09

And if you haven't heard about

this story on, this movie on

878

: 00:48:14

Netflix, called The Swimmers.

879

: 00:48:17

It is about The story of two Syrian

sisters who fled their home of Damascus

880

: 00:48:25

and ended up swimming for hours in the

Mediterranean sea to reach Greece to

881

: 00:48:30

be to seek asylum ended up going on

to compete at the Olympic games in Rio

882

: 00:48:36

as part of these first refugee team.

883

: 00:48:39

And ever since this team has

been competing at the Olympics

884

: 00:48:43

the impact of this, I mean.

885

: 00:48:46

It's highlighted the unifying power

of sport and resilience and the

886

: 00:48:50

resilience of the human spirit.

887

: 00:48:51

And, you know, my, my hope is that

one day this team won't be needed,

888

: 00:48:55

but until then, I'm so, so glad to

see that a place for those athletes to

889

: 00:49:01

sort of represent where they've come

from and what they've been through.

890

: 00:49:05

And finally, We've mentioned

her many times throughout

891

: 00:49:08

this episode, but why not?

892

: 00:49:10

Why not end my list here with the

amazing Biles and her dominance.

893

: 00:49:15

Every game she's been a part of, not

only as an athlete, but as a teammate.

894

: 00:49:20

You look at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,

she did not actually compete.

895

: 00:49:24

She was struggling with something

that kept her from competing.

896

: 00:49:28

You know, and ultimately I think

you have to put your health first.

897

: 00:49:32

So, Simone Biles, we know her

for her incredible skills and

898

: 00:49:36

pioneering new moves in gymnastics.

899

: 00:49:38

She's won multiple gold medals,

breaking barriers for female athletes

900

: 00:49:42

and is an major advocate for mental

health and represents the evolving

901

: 00:49:47

role of athletes in society.

902

: 00:49:49

To speak to the point I was making

earlier I think back to: 2021

903

: 00:49:54

we were watching the games I've

never heard of what the twisties.

904

: 00:49:57

I think that's what it's called.

905

: 00:49:59

When she was, you know, mid

air doing these honestly

906

: 00:50:04

dangerous feats of athleticism.

907

: 00:50:07

So the fact that she was losing

herself in the air, her call to take

908

: 00:50:12

herself out of the competition is one.

909

: 00:50:13

I respect greatly.

910

: 00:50:15

Because.

911

: 00:50:16

I'm sorry, a medal isn't worth your life.

912

: 00:50:19

So she could have majorly injured herself.

913

: 00:50:22

Alexandra: Well, Christine, before we

end well, it seems like we have a couple

914

: 00:50:26

other questions here for us to answer.

915

: 00:50:28

Is there any particular sport or

athlete that you're excited to

916

: 00:50:30

watch in the Paris 2024 games?

917

: 00:50:33

Christine: I mean, Simone Biles is back.

918

: 00:50:35

She's come back for another Olympics.

919

: 00:50:37

She'll be a part of the incredible

women's gymnastics team.

920

: 00:50:41

Along with Sunni Lee, Jordan

Childs excited for that.

921

: 00:50:46

I'm excited for Katie Ledecky who

will be competing in women's swimming.

922

: 00:50:52

I always also love watching diving

I also love beach volleyball

923

: 00:50:56

and volleyball in general.

924

: 00:50:58

So I'm, there's a lot

I'm looking forward to.

925

: 00:51:00

How about you?

926

: 00:51:01

Alexandra: Well, it's funny that

you mentioned beach volleyball,

927

: 00:51:03

cause that's pretty much the

only volleyball I like to watch.

928

: 00:51:06

I'm not a huge fan of

watching indoor volleyball.

929

: 00:51:09

So if I'm going to watch a

sport, it's probably, it would

930

: 00:51:11

probably be beach volleyball.

931

: 00:51:12

I enjoy watching diving if I catch it, but

it's not something I actively seek out.

932

: 00:51:18

Go back to this here.

933

: 00:51:19

Hold on to find what's in this summer.

934

: 00:51:22

I love Taekwondo.

935

: 00:51:24

So if I catch that, I would.

936

: 00:51:29

Yeah.

937

: 00:51:29

Sometimes I think archery is interesting,

but if I was actually going to seek

938

: 00:51:33

out any, it would probably be the

beach volleyball or the taekwondo.

939

: 00:51:36

Um, otherwise I would just

be like, Oh, this is cool.

940

: 00:51:38

You know, and watch it for a few minutes.

941

: 00:51:41

But with that if you could

compete in any Olympic sport,

942

: 00:51:44

which one would it be in life

943

: 00:51:45

assuming that you've done

all the training, all the

944

: 00:51:47

Christine: yes, if I could actually

compete in a sport, I would, I think

945

: 00:51:52

I'd like to do a beach volleyball.

946

: 00:51:55

Alexandra: Okay.

947

: 00:51:56

Christine: I think beach volleyball,

I could never, but if I was at a

948

: 00:52:01

peak athlete in that sport, I would,

I think I would really enjoy it.

949

: 00:52:05

It's don't get me wrong.

950

: 00:52:06

I love volleyball too.

951

: 00:52:07

I think.

952

: 00:52:08

It's a wonderful team sport, but

something about beach volleyball,

953

: 00:52:11

it's just you and one other

teammate covering the entire court.

954

: 00:52:17

You're in sands, so you're sinking.

955

: 00:52:19

You got to find it within yourself

to reach up high with your jumps.

956

: 00:52:25

It's kind of

957

: 00:52:25

Alexandra: think it's so much

more fun to dive in sand though.

958

: 00:52:28

It is than it is on like a

959

: 00:52:29

basketball wood court.

960

: 00:52:31

Yeah.

961

: 00:52:31

Yeah.

962

: 00:52:31

I'm like, I'd rather dive in sand.

963

: 00:52:33

It's so much beach volleyball is fun.

964

: 00:52:35

Christine: It's, it is a lot of fun.

965

: 00:52:36

How about you?

966

: 00:52:37

Which would you compete in?

967

: 00:52:39

Alexandra: well So much.

968

: 00:52:40

Yeah.

969

: 00:52:40

I'd like to do beach volleyball,

but practically I think I would

970

: 00:52:42

do Taekwondo mostly because I have

experience in Taekwondo and I made it,

971

: 00:52:47

I think it was the junior Olympics.

972

: 00:52:50

Yeah, made it to the junior Olympics

in Taekwondo here in the States

973

: 00:52:53

when I was, Still doing that.

974

: 00:52:55

Christine: Wow.

975

: 00:52:56

Alexandra: was a long time ago.

976

: 00:52:57

Christine: That's great.

977

: 00:52:58

I had no

978

: 00:52:58

idea.

979

: 00:53:00

Alexandra: yeah, my school went

to a few of us went to the junior

980

: 00:53:03

Olympics in Atlanta and that was fun.

981

: 00:53:05

I think, I don't think

I competed in sparring.

982

: 00:53:08

I don't remember, but I know I

competed in Poomsae, which is

983

: 00:53:11

forms and that was really fun.

984

: 00:53:12

I think it's just so incredible the

grace and speed and precision that

985

: 00:53:16

people can move their bodies with.

986

: 00:53:17

So I think practically

that would be something.

987

: 00:53:21

If I could, I would do.

988

: 00:53:22

And why?

989

: 00:53:23

Because I loved it.

990

: 00:53:24

It was beautiful to perform.

991

: 00:53:25

And I liked performing it Poomsae,

because it was, it's just you.

992

: 00:53:30

And that's your body.

993

: 00:53:31

And, it's just, it's gorgeous.

994

: 00:53:33

Anyways, so, that's probably

why I would choose and why.

995

: 00:53:36

So, I do Poomsae.

996

: 00:53:36

Partially where I like to watch it.

997

: 00:53:38

Watching some of the, I wouldn't call them

tricks necessarily, but set up performance

998

: 00:53:43

like the cookie one from South Korea.

999

: 00:53:45

They have a demo or competition

team that will set up these

: 1000

00:53:48,542 --> 00:53:50,912

incredible like board breaks.

: 1001

00:53:50,982 --> 00:53:53,962

And it almost looks like

acrobatics in some sense.

: 1002

00:53:54,032 --> 00:53:55,262

It's just amazing.

: 1003

00:53:55,632 --> 00:53:55,862

Anyways.

: 1004

00:53:56,392 --> 00:53:57,482

That's probably what I would do.

: 1005

00:53:57,872 --> 00:53:58,972

Last question for you, Christine.

: 1006

00:53:59,192 --> 00:54:02,662

How do you think the Olympics

can continue to inspire future

: 1007

00:54:02,662 --> 00:54:04,392

generations of athletes and people?

: 1008

00:54:04,392 --> 00:54:07,172

Christine: First things that come to

mind is when with the broadcasting of

: 1009

00:54:07,172 --> 00:54:11,316

the games, sharing the story of the

athletes, where they come from the

: 1010

00:54:11,376 --> 00:54:13,376

trials, tribulations they've been through.

: 1011

00:54:13,636 --> 00:54:17,741

I think for a lot of people

the story of perseverance.

: 1012

00:54:17,751 --> 00:54:22,901

It's the story of defying

expectations and the odds against you.

: 1013

00:54:23,391 --> 00:54:26,581

And if you want something

bad enough you'll achieve it.

: 1014

00:54:26,991 --> 00:54:31,691

So I mean, that is the story,

I think, at the heart of all of

: 1015

00:54:31,691 --> 00:54:34,131

this and we'll continue to endure.

: 1016

00:54:34,961 --> 00:54:35,401

So.

: 1017

00:54:35,595 --> 00:54:36,055

That's what I

: 1018

00:54:36,065 --> 00:54:36,105

think.

: 1019

00:54:36,135 --> 00:54:36,425

Alexandra: cool.

: 1020

00:54:37,805 --> 00:54:38,295

Christine: What about you?

: 1021

00:54:38,738 --> 00:54:40,758

Alexandra: Well, I don't think I

could say it any better than you,

: 1022

00:54:40,758 --> 00:54:42,098

so I'm going to leave it on that

: 1023

00:54:42,268 --> 00:54:42,928

Christine: All right.

: 1024

00:54:43,218 --> 00:54:44,068

Sounds good.

: 1025

00:54:44,349 --> 00:54:44,919

perfect.

: 1026

00:54:44,919 --> 00:54:49,108

Thank you so much for joining us

on this journey through the rich

: 1027

00:54:49,128 --> 00:54:51,378

history and evolution of the Olympics.

: 1028

00:54:51,818 --> 00:54:56,058

From its ancient origins to its modern

day global impact, the Olympics continue

: 1029

00:54:56,058 --> 00:55:00,258

to inspire and unite us in a way

that transcends borders and cultures.

: 1030

00:55:00,718 --> 00:55:04,661

As we wrap up today's episode,

we hope you Feel as excited

: 1031

00:55:04,661 --> 00:55:05,941

about the Olympics as we do.

: 1032

00:55:06,411 --> 00:55:09,651

It's right around the corner,

so, get excited about it.

: 1033

00:55:10,111 --> 00:55:15,761

And if you enjoyed this history focus

episode, let us know, we would love to

: 1034

00:55:15,761 --> 00:55:20,381

do more of these and maybe even suggest

some topics you'd like us to research

: 1035

00:55:20,391 --> 00:55:24,801

more about, be sure to join us next week

where we'll be diving into what Brene

: 1036

00:55:24,811 --> 00:55:26,721

Brown calls the most terrifying emotion.

: 1037

00:55:27,022 --> 00:55:29,332

Joy, why does joy scare us?

: 1038

00:55:29,672 --> 00:55:32,312

How can we embrace it

without fear of losing it?

: 1039

00:55:32,732 --> 00:55:35,792

Join us as we explore these questions

and more in an episode that's

: 1040

00:55:35,792 --> 00:55:39,772

sure to leave you reflecting and

smiling until then, keep celebrating

: 1041

00:55:39,772 --> 00:55:41,552

the moments of joy in your life.

: 1042

00:55:41,582 --> 00:55:42,572

And we'll see you next time.

: 1043

00:55:43,637 --> 00:55:46,037

Alexandra: Are you enjoying the

banter and insights we're serving up?

: 1044

00:55:46,557 --> 00:55:50,497

If so, consider tossing some support our

way through our buy us a coffee page.

: 1045

00:55:50,857 --> 00:55:53,477

Every bit helps in fueling

this passion project of ours.

: 1046

00:55:53,987 --> 00:55:56,623

Find the link in our show

notes and visit our link tree.

: 1047

00:55:56,823 --> 00:55:59,093

We are immensely grateful

for your generosity.

: 1048

00:55:59,280 --> 00:56:02,560

As we wrap up, remember to hit

that like subscribe or follow

: 1049

00:56:02,560 --> 00:56:04,100

button on your preferred platform.

: 1050

00:56:04,320 --> 00:56:07,360

Until next time, let's keep the

conversations going and we'll

: 1051

00:56:07,360 --> 00:56:08,749

catch you on the next episode.