Active Citizens and Public Policy: The Example of London 2012 Olympic Games

Abstract

The author argues how Olympism, the ideology underpinning the Olympic Games, when linked with youth can generate what Foucault called 'technologies of power'. This article first discusses the increasing rate of governmental interest for sport and the "active citizen", children and young people. In this light several interventions and policies across the western societies such as the United Kingdom, United States and Canada are examined. The author then argues how the youth agenda for the Olympic Games can also be seen alongside this neo-liberal increased interest for active citizenry.

Conceptualising L’Space Olympique: Tokyo 2020 Olympic education in thought, production and action

“…In doing so, this paper also adds to the existing tranche of critics who have stressed the need to reconfigure Olympic education anew. In essence, countering the status quo requires acknowledging merits of Olympic-related learning, but also encouraging more honest, reflexive, inclusive and rigorous dialogues of the Olympics, sport, physical activity and roles associated values play in young people's lives (Chatziefstathiou, 2012b;Kohe & Chatziefstathiou, 2017). Through these encouragements, and the suggestion to consider ideological alignments, stakeholder connections, and alternative ways of meaning making, we take forth in this paper and the theoretical framework we adopt to analyse Tokyo 2020's Olympic education approach.…”

“…In this task the IOC have been aided by stakeholder alliances with international agencies, transnational organisations, corporate partners, national and local governments, philanthropists and charities. Such collaborations have yielded innovative ventures providing individuals, groups and communities with new access to creative educational enterprises (Chatziefstathiou, 2012b;Naul et al, 2017). Concomitantly, these relationships afford the organisation political and economic leverage to extend their pedagogical push into new terrain.…”

“…Calls have been made for educationalists to adopt more cautious engagement with Olympic education and to pursue approaches that are socially just, democratic, sensitive, contextually nuanced and critical. Scholars have conceptualised criticality in terms of: questioning the status quo; resisting the IOC's institutional power and moral axioms about sport; acknowledging and respecting cultural relativism and localised forms of meaningmaking; and better responding to the realities of (specifically, young) peoples' lives (Armour & Dagkas, 2012;Chatziefstathiou, 2012aChatziefstathiou, , 2012bHsu & Kohe, 2014;Kohe, 2010).…”

Pierre De Coubertin Y Los Derechos Humanos: Deporte Como Derecho Humano

“…El Comité Olímpico Internacional (COI) afirma que «la práctica del deporte es un derecho humano» (Internacional Olympic Committee, 2016, p.11) y el Comité Paralímpico Internacional (CPI) que «la accesibilidad es un derecho humano básico y un pilar fundamental de justicia social» (International Paralympic Committee, 2015, p.23). Al restablecer los Juegos Olímpicos modernos, su fundador, el barón Pierre de Coubertin, aunque impulsado por una clara agenda política «europea», vio en el deporte un mecanismo alternativo para promover enfrentamientos pacíficos internacionales (Chatziefstathiou, 2012a;2012b;Chatziefstathiou and Henry, 2007;2012). Algunos investigadores (Kidd, 1996;MacAloon 1996;Hoberman, 1986Hoberman, , 1995Hoberman, , 2004 afirman que la recuperación de los Juegos Olímpicos por Pierre de Coubertin tenía como objetivo reducir las rivalidades imperialistas de las potencias europeas y la creciente probabilidad de guerra.…”

“…El COI a lo largo de su historia se ha comprometido activamente con la política de los derechos humanos. Como se mencionó anteriormente proclaman en su Carta «el deporte es un derecho humano» (Chatziefstathiou, 2012a). Colaboran estrechamente con organismos transnacionales (por ejemplo, la ONU) y ONG internaciones (como «Rigth to Play») cuyo objetivo es «poner el deporte al servicio del desarrollo armonioso del hombre (sic), con vista a promover una sociedad pacífica preocupada por la protección de la dignidad humana» (International Olympic Committee, 2016, p.10).…”