What is your favorite Olympic event? As the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics get underway with tremendous performances by the likes of Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky, there’s much to look forward to as athletes compete in the city of love. The events span a whopping 32 sports, including skateboarding and breakdancing. You can expect the unexpected at this premier athletic bonanza, but surely no one would expect a competition in drawing or sculpture. However, artistic competitions used to be a part of the summer Olympics alongside traditional physical sports. Recently, while hosting an event with Louis Vuitton in Paris, musician and designer Pharrell called for a return of these artistic competitions.
Pharrell’s encouragement to reinstate the artistic events, if adopted in 2028 or beyond, could add several new events. Art events were added in 1912, and they were eventually eliminated in 1948. Architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture all occurred alongside the traditional running, swimming, and lifting. Entrants were judged by prestigious artists who then awarded the traditional gold, silver, and bronze medals. Although a tremendous honor, few of the winners rose to the ranks of the 20th century’s most famous names. However, two exceptionally impressive individuals won both athletic and artistic medals across their lifetimes.
Pharrell’s event supported Olympic athletes including the refugee contingent who competes. While other awards exist for most artistic disciplines, reinstating them to the Olympics could provide another forum to promote and support rising talents. Historically, Olympic athletes and artists had to be amateurs. While professional athletes can now compete, professional artists no longer have a chance for a medal. As six new sports will be added for the Los Angeles games in 2028, who’s to say if art will once more return for future competitions.
Musician and designer Pharrell Williams called for reinstating artistic competitions at the Olympic games.
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From 1912 to 1948, artists could compete for the coveted Olympic medals in literature, drawing, and more.
Alfréd Hajós of Hungary, who won two gold medals at the 1896 Athens Olympics in swimming, then almost 30 years later won a silver medal for his architectural design. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)
Though the artistic competitions were eliminated, there’s no rule stating they can’t return.
The Olympic stadium in Amsterdam used for the 1928 games, and whose architect Jan Wils won gold. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0)
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h/t: [Hypebeast]
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