Zappas Olympics
The Olympien (English Zappas Olympics, Greek Ζάππειες Ολυμπιάδες or Ολύμπια, Olympia) were organized by the merchant Evangelos Zappas sporting events in Greece. They were 1859, 1870, 1875 and 1889 held in Athens and were inspired by the ancient Olympic games. Finally, they led in 1896 to host the first modern Olympic Games under the auspices of the company founded by Pierre de Coubertin International Olympic Committee.
Genesis
From the romantic spirit inspired, made various people during the 19th century proposals to revive the ancient Olympic Games. In his 1833 published poem "Dialogue of the Dead " used the poet and publisher Panagiotis Soutsos the Olympics as a symbol of ancient Greek tradition. Soon after, he hit concrete before the revival of the Games through the newly established Greek State and sent to the government in 1835 even a memorandum. The Wittelsbach Prince Otto, who ruled the country as King Otto I from 1832 to 1862, the proposal accepted though, but despite Soutsos ' unremitting efforts happened in the following years for the time being nothing.
1852 also made the German archaeologist Ernst Curtius in a lecture the proposal to revive the Olympic Games again. Evangelos Zappas, a successful businessman and member of the Greek diaspora in Romania was inspired by these ideas and sought to implement them with their own funds as well. Beginning of 1856 he sent through diplomatic channels a letter to King Otto, and offered to fund the entire project, the revival of the Olympic Games itself, and also to donate prizes for the winners. However, opposition also suggested. Under Greek politicians the opinion was widespread that athletic events were merely a throwback to archaic times. Alexandros Rhizos Rhankaves, foreign minister and leader of the conservative anti athletic lobby, suggested instead that an exhibition of industry and agriculture.
For months remained an official response from the Greek government. As known Panagiotis Soutsos made in a newspaper article Zappa's ' ideas to the public in July 1856, he broke with it from a broad debate. Finally, King Otto gave his consent for the discharge of sporting events every four years. He saw the emphasis in the promotion of the domestic economy and ordered the embedding of " Olympien " in an industrial and agricultural issue. Zappa secured the necessary financial resources to the formation of an Olympic Trust Fund.
Otto's model for the Olympien was the Oktoberfest in Munich, then a combined exhibition of agricultural products and sporting competitions. A reference to the Olympic Games of antiquity was also evident here. At his enthronement in 1832 three envoys had traveled from Greece to Munich. At that time, the Oktoberfest had been specially postponed to allow the Greek delegation could attend. The envoys reported it in their home: " In the afternoon we answered an invitation to attend a special festival which takes place annually in the Eighth of this month and is called Oktoberfest '. It will be held in an extended area outside the city. The said festival constitutes an infringement of the Olympic Games and the events can be traced back to ancient Greece. "
A 16 -article Royal Decree " on the establishment of Olympien " from 1858 was finally the most important goal, " set in Athens general competitions, which should be carried out under the title Olympien every four years, and in each of which the products from Greece should be issued work, especially from industry, agriculture and animal husbandry. " In addition, " gymnastic games at government expense in the made-up suitable stadium" should be discharged. The Regulation also referred to the management, supervision, referees, prices and individual competitions. Important figures in the country support the project and the public that it is open.
Sweeps
Olympien 1859
On November 15, 1859, the first Olympien took place on the present site of the National Resistance against the king, politicians and respectable citizens in the center of Athens. It took part in the competitions exclusively Greeks, either from Greece or even from the Greek diaspora. The central part of the exhibition with well over a thousand exhibitors, who competed in 15 categories was successful.
The sporting competition part with running, jumping, discus, javelin and other disciplines, however, is classified as a failure. The press was indeed set quite positive, but thousands present Athenians could throw or not the meaning of such an event meant no view of the action. The terrain was unsuitable and the weather was too cold. Since there were no athletes in the modern sense at the time, participation was open to everyone. It also occurred several curious incidents: So leaving a policeman who was supposed to monitor the amount of his post and took part in the races. Even a beggar who pretended to be blind, participated.
Olympien 1870
The measures provided for in 1863 Olympien fell particularly the political events in Greece - expulsion of King Otto - victim. Died in 1865 Evangelos Zappas. He had bequeathed to the Committee of the Olympien under the condition to build a suitable site for the Olympien, the Zappeion, most of his assets. Again, should secure a Royal available, this time by King George I, the measures taken to comply with Zappa's ' Testament. The far only makeshift committee of Olympien was officially founded under the leadership of major and leading personalities of Greece.
For the second Olympien the committee drew up a charter with contents that are regain it later in its basic features and the International Olympic Committee (IOC ). The formation of special committees in the Greek province capitals similar to the formation of National Olympic Committees. The exact determination of the celebrations included elements such as an opening speech or the proclamation of the winner, making note of the name with musical accompaniment, which are used at the Olympic Games today. Even old traditions of the ancient Olympic Games were taken up again, as the solemn oath that the athletes had to render.
On November 15, 1870, the second Olympien took place, this time in the Panathenaic Stadium, which was 1868/69 discovered by German architect and architectural historian Ernst Ziller and excavated from this in consultation with the king and his colleague Anastasios Metaxas by Ziller plans for the games had prepared provisional. The competition had been postponed for two weeks due to bad weather. Around 25,000 spectators watched the events, a huge number for that time. In general, the competitions were better organized and the athletes were dressed uniformly.
All this Olympien Rapporteur expressed full of praise for the organization and performance of the athletes. Sports historians refer to this event as the world's hitherto most serious attempt by a significant interdisciplinary sports festival.
Olympien 1875
The success of the second Olympien encouraged the preparations for the third Olympien, despite all efforts, however, could not quite follow the suggested Vierjahresrhytmus. 1874, the foundation stone was laid for the Zappeion. Organizer of the third Olympien was Ioannis Fokianos, Rector of the Athens High School. He was convinced that the ideal athlete come from the educated and cultured society layer and had therefore only students as participants.
The sports competitions were held on May 21, 1875 again held at Panathenaic Stadium. They were embedded in a show of 1200 72 Greek and foreign exhibitors. The competition program had been extended, for example to make the jump over the double horizontal bar. For many viewers was not enough space and Fokianos had, despite his efforts and the good preparation of the athletes put up with criticism. The press was bothered particularly to the poor organization and on the exclusion of the working class. Fokianos was so upset that he resigned as organizer of the Olympien.
Olympien 1888/89
After the third Olympien the committee was primarily concerned with legal disputes about the implementation of Zappa's ' legacy. Finally, his cousin Konstantinos Zappas was able to prevail. The government established by Zappa's ' money the "Central Gymnastics Hall ", which was inaugurated in 1878. Also the Zappeion could be completed in October 1888 after several years of interruption of the construction works. On the occasion of the inauguration of the fourth Olympien were opened, but at first only with the part of the exhibition.
The athletic part of the fourth Olympien had to be postponed due to financial problems on 30 April 1889. Fokianos she organized independently of the Committee of Olympien and also provided the financing. 30 athletes competed in the Central gymnasium and on several competitions. The public interest was great, the seating capacity but very limited.
A new royal decree in 1890, signed by Crown Prince Constantine I and Foreign Minister Stephanos Dragoumis should make sure that the fifth Olympien should actually take place in 1892. However Renewed financial problems prevented the discharge.
Impact on the modern Olympic Games
William Penny Brookes awakened in 1850 in the UK with the first implementation of Wenlock Olympian Games, the enthusiasm for the sport. He took over in 1859 parts of the program of the first Olympien and praised his own event as well as a rebirth of the Olympic Games. Brookes was the first international Olympic Games in Athens suggested that should be different from its own "national " event. The Greek government ignored but often offered his support. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who had attended the 1890 Wenlock Olympian Games, however, took over many of Brookes ' ideas.
On June 23, 1894, the renewal of the Olympic Games, it was decided at an international sports conference in Paris. At the suggestion of the Greek businessman and writer Demetrius vikelas these should be held on site with history in Athens. The idea came in Greece not on instant approval, partly because no statements have been made about the funding, but also because of the feared loss of national identity, which was associated with the Olympien. This should automatically be given up, because the Committee of Olympien should take a leading role in the implementation of the Olympic Games. The decision for or against the Olympics became a matter of national importance, which even helped with to trigger a government crisis in Greece. After finally in January 1895 resigned the incumbent government, the way was open for the supporters of the Olympic Games, and the Olympien were so story.