The Olympic Games of 2024 were held in Paris from July 26 to August 11. This sporting celebration dates back to 1896 when the first games appeared at Athens. Created by Pierre de Coubertin, they represent a great number of challenges and objectives, the latter having changed much over time. If at first, the main objective was to develop and promote peace and friendship between countries, today's issues have become more economic and political. The Olympics games now encompass many more aspects, all worthy of a thesis topics.
Topic 1: The economic and political stakes of the Olympics and their evolution over the years
Today the Olympics are no longer just about sports but also other areas such as politics or economics.
How decisive are economics and politics in the implementation of the Olympics?
Discussing in the first part economic stakes with infrastructures as well as tourism-related issues. How do host countries manage to strengthen their global position on a tourist level especially?
In a second part, talk about political stakes.
Analyse also the possibility of conflicts that may occur at territorial and diplomatic levels. End with a comparison of these issues over time. Give concrete examples which have appeared in past Olympics.
Topic 2: The role and importance of media in the Olympics
The Olympics have become more accessible to everyone over time thanks in part to the media.
How have the media had a true influence on the development of the Olympics over time?
In the first part, talk about the role of media in this event, mention the role of the IOC International Olympic Committee.
Also discuss about the importance of social networks, retransmissions which are an opportunity for public to live strong moments throughout the duration of games. Link notions of dynamism, modernity and connection with a very demanding audience.
A second part can be dedicated to the image of Olympics in front of public and proliferation of social issues notably.
A last part can be dedicated to evolution of the coverage from television to internet.
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Topic 3: The Olympics and their impact on the environment
It is a matter here of understanding the environmental issues that have the Olympics.
How have the Olympics a major impact on the environment?
Define the concepts, and speak in a first part of the question about environmental issues, whose importance has greatly increased over time. Speak to this effect on these changes, and evolution of climate over the years. Also talk in this section about the evolution of consumer behavior and their relationships with ecology.
In a second part, give the entire set of main environmental impacts.
Clearly talk about the infrastructure, pollution problems it generates, greenhouse gas emissions or waste, natural resource use. Give concrete examples. What is the impact of the Olympics on ecosystems in a more specific area? In what are all these facilities are potentially disturbing the nature ?
In the final part, to speak of means that can be implemented to mitigate these disturbances. How is it possible to make this event more environmentally friendly and why that's so important in the long term?
Discuss the sett up of more "green" Olympics, give an example from London in 2012. Generally efforts are made to reduce bad impacts on the planet. Talk about the relationship between politics, economy and Olympic Games and the importance that ecological question can have for these two fields of activity.
Topic 4: The Use of Olympic Games as a Diplomatic Tool
For a very long time, the Olympics have been used as diplomatic tools.
In what way the Olympic Games event can be an effective means for nations to promote political messages thereby increasing their influence?
In the first part, analyze the influence that the Olympics have on countries hosting them. What are the consequences for host countries and why ?
Take the example of different countries, in the way they have been able to assert their power by hosting this event on their soil.
Talking about the concept of soft power, this capacity that countries may have to influence others.
In a second part, make the link with diplomatic conflicts that may occur, give concrete examples such as Moscow in 1980 or Los Angeles in 1984.
On the contrary, games can also represent a means of reconciliation through discreet meetings especially between representatives of different nations.
Topic 5: The games and the technical innovations
The Olympics have always be linked to technological innovations, a field very much related to the political and economic side.
In what way do technological innovations represent a means of strengthening the position and dynamism of the Olympic Games at a global level.
In the first part, talk about the challenges of new technologies in the world sports. What are the technological innovations that have appeared at the Olympics over global warming? Give concrete examples, the Paris Olympics but also others previous editions.
Then give the main areas in which new technologies are present, such as security particularly or still infrastructures whether for athletes like public. Also talk about spectators' experience of importance social media.
In the final part it is also possible to give the main benefits of technological challenges for athletes. Talk about training methods which have known beautiful evolutions over time. Link to sports medicine.
CONCLUSION
Today, it is worth noting that the Olympic Games are far from being just a set of sports disciplines and competitions as we have seen in this whole range of potential subjects. They also serve to strengthen a country's position at political, economic but also technological level.
Little by little, the numerous advances in all these fields have been made. The Olympics can be as much a place of potential conflicts between nations as one of reconciliation among them.
Thus, the Olympic world is a set of challenges in every field, and media bring an enormous amount to the dynamism and image that can have the public over time. They are a means of strengthening territorial position but also showing some form of power and superiority at economic level.
It is finally a matter of promoting a set of values such as respect for example but also friendship. Little by little environmental issues have gained ground, and every four years the countries that host the Olympic Games supply efforts to put in place greener structures and a more organisation.