The Olympism

Olympism is a philosophy of life. The Olympic Charter defines it in these words: "Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."

So Olympism does not treat sport as a thing apart. It blends sport with culture and education and uses it as a tool to build character and to serve society. The Olympic Movement (another name for Olympism in action) is developed and endorsed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It promotes friendship, respect, fair play and sportsmanship through sporting activity, and it stands firmly against discrimination on grounds of gender, race, religion or nationality. Beyond the field, it extends to promoting peace and brotherhood among people. As the Charter puts it, "The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport... in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play."

Fundamental Principles of Olympism

The Olympic Charter lays down the following Fundamental Principles of Olympism:

1. A philosophy of life. Olympism combines, in a balanced whole, the qualities of body, will and mind; blending sport with culture and education, it seeks a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for universal ethical principles.
2. The goal. To place sport at the service of the harmonious development of humankind, promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.
3. The Olympic Movement. It is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents and reaches its peak when the world's athletes come together at the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.
4. Sport is a human right. Every individual must be able to practise sport without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.
5. Autonomy and neutrality. Sports organisations within the Movement apply political neutrality and enjoy the rights and obligations of autonomy, including setting their own rules and good governance. …