Olympism and the Olympic Program: An Intersubjective Moral Approach to Sport

The International Olympic Committee's (IOC) stated mission is to both "lead the Olympic Movement" and "promote Olympism throughout the world." (1) Furthermore, the Olympic Charter explicitly states that the Olympic Movement is "inspired by the values of Olympism." (2) Therefore, the IOC's actions, along with the National Olympic Committees (NOC) and the International Sport Federations (ISF), should align with those values. The most recognizable element of the Olympic Movement is the Olympic Games. Garnering the most attention, criticism, and passion, the Olympic Games are the public face of the Olympic Movement. Given the IOC's stated mission, they are more than just mere games for they have an explicit moral underpinning. The Olympic Charter, which governs "the organization, action and operation of the Olympic Movement," identifies as "essential" the values of Olympism. (3) The "Fundamental Principles of Olympism" outline the key moral components that guide the Olympic Movement. Olympism is "a philosophy of life" that blends "sport with culture and education" in order to "create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles." (4) Unlike most sport organizations, the IOC explicitly identifies a moral standard to which it is accountable. The fundamental principle that "any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on the grounds of race, religion, politics or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement" may be difficult to interpret and even harder to apply, but it does provide a point of departure on which to assess the IOC and determine if it is fulfilling the moral element of its mission.