Paper
Olympic Games, Indigenous peoples and Mobility: Global/Glocal contexts
presenters
Lívia Šavelková
Nationality: Česko
Residence: Czech Republic
University of Pardubice
Presence:Online
Keywords:
Indigenous Peoples; Olympic Games; Mobility
Abstract:
The aim of this paper is to reflect on the presence and non-participation of indigenous representatives in the Olympic Games in the context of mobility. What does the presence or absence of indigenous peoples at the Olympic Games mean? To what extent does the participation or non-participation of athletes in the Olympic Games speak of the Olympic Movement as an ideological current enabling social change, which was one of the main intentions of its founder de Coubertin?
There are two important points of view to take into consideration – one of them is the participation of indigenous peoples in the competition itself in the role of athletes or coaches, the other is their participation as actors in relation to the upcoming or ongoing Olympic Games, as organizers, performing in opening or ceremonial ceremonies, supporters and opponents.
This paper will follow up on discussions on national and international politics, human and indigenous rights (Forsyth, Wamsley 2013, O´Bonsawin 2008, 2015, Brownell 2008) and will show, on concrete examples from previous Olympic Games, how mobility in relation to these giant world events and indigenous peoples can be shaped glocally and not just globally.