As the jingoism, nationalism and cultism inspired by the Olympic Games hopefully wane, let’s praise Paschal Grousset, arch-rival of de Cubertin at the turn of the nineteenth century. While the Baron’s vision of sport as an heroic pursuit (by white males, [he was opposed for aesthetic reason to women taking part in the Games]) led him in the end to praise the spectacle of the Berlin Olympics, Grousset was firmly anti-competitive. Both men were big promoters of physical activity as a key ingredient of the [...]

By Peter Bennett

Bicycle Love, originally uploaded by Hanjosan.