Comparative Semiological Approach of Religion Elements in the Ancient and Modern Olympic Games

Vasiliki Christoforidi & Sotiris Giatsis

Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hellas

Abstract

The aim of this study is to give a comparative analysis from a semiological point of view, on the factors which differentiates the ancient and the modern Olympic Games (OG) in their religious identity and essence (existence). Particularly, the analysis of the symbolic elements of two Olympics shows that the ancient Olympia was a religious-ritual festival, dedicated to Zeus’s adoration. Nevertheless, beyond religious character the Games were an important athletic, secular, social, cultural and political panhellenic event. The same method was used for a consideration of the religious factors for modern OG and sport. This analysis shows that the modern Olympics are just an imitation; it was impossible the ancient constitution to be revived as some of the pioneers of the modern Olympism think. The most important, however, version of the modern OG and sport is that they include a lot of educational elements used by all modern societies. The ancient OG were a part of the general education, called paideia. With new terms Coubertin tried to copy that point, based on the solidarity, friendship and democracy, either among individuals or the nations. The practical difference, nevertheless, between the synonymous ideologies are in the base that the Modern Olympics are held among all the nations, apart from their religious and political system. Therefore, the difference between the Greek «ευ αγωνίσεσθαι» and the modern «fair play» exists in spite of the similar terms and symbolic meanings. The work also deals with the movement of neopaganism which considers the symbolic issues (i.e. the flame) of modern olympism as having clear religious characteristics, even though there are different options among its fans. The Olympic idealism, however, is strictly designated by the Olympic Charter (article 3) which says that «the Olympic Games are not a religious and political institution, but they unite Olympic athletes of all nations in fair and equal competition».

Key words: Semiology, semiotic, religiousness, myth, Olympism, sport, representation, revival