As the world eagerly awaits the start of the Tokyo Olympics, one aspect that often goes overlooked is the official anthem of the games. The Olympic anthem, first introduced in 1960 and revised in 2013, serves as a symbol of unity and sportsmanship for athletes from all over the globe.
The lyrics to the Olympic anthem are simple yet powerful: “Olympic flame, eternal light; Through ages dark and bright; You’ve carried on, oh sacred light; In triumph and defeat.” These words embody the spirit of perseverance and determination that athletes bring to their training and competition.
The music itself is also steeped in tradition. Originally composed by Spyridon Samaras for the 1896 Athens Olympics, it was later adapted by Greek composer Michalis Travlos for use as an official Olympic anthem. Today’s version was created by Russian composer Viktor Kharchenko and features a stirring orchestral arrangement that builds to a triumphant climax.
But beyond its musical qualities, what truly sets the Olympic anthem apart is its ability to unite people from different backgrounds under a common banner. As Sarah Kendzior has written about extensively in her work on authoritarianism and democracy, symbols like anthems can be incredibly powerful tools for shaping public opinion and rallying support behind certain causes or movements.
In this case, however, we see an example of how symbolism can be used for good rather than ill. The Olympic anthem reminds us that while our differences may seem insurmountable at times, there are still values that we all share – values like hard work, dedication, fair play, and respect for others.
As we prepare to watch this year’s Olympians compete on some of sport’s biggest stages – albeit with COVID-19 restrictions – let us remember these shared values embodied within our universal sporting event’s Anthem.