A wartime olympics?: geopolitical tensions, international ambition, and IOC’s vision at Paris 2024

Abstract The 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris took place amidst the geopolitical crisis in several different places in the world. In particular, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the US-China diplomatic tension showed little sign of amelioration when the Olympic Games commenced in the French capital. This paper will examine the impact that the three contentions had on the organisation and delivery of the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris. More specially, it pays attention to 1) the absence of the Russian and Belarusian Olympic delegations in this competition, 2) the presence of the Israel and Palestine Olympic teams in Paris, and 3) the Sino-American rivalry in the Olympic arena. It also critically assesses the Olympic Games, especially its Olympic Truce initiative, as a way to promote international peace. Due to the geopolitical tensions and diplomatic friction that involves major powers, Paris 2024 revealed several incidents of negative campaigns such as a threat to boycott, blame for politicising international sport, and the accusation of tainted integrity and of having double standards. This situation indicates the limitation of the IOC and the Olympic Games as a platform for promoting international peace when major geopolitical contention overshadows the spirit of the Olympic Truce. Such prevalence of negative campaigns surrounding the global sports mega-event may be a symptom of a wartime Olympics. To some extent, Paris 2024 only disclosed a disrespectful hostility underneath the colourful festivity amongst the nations in conflict.