The war of 1870–1871 between France and Prussia (then a major power covering much of Poland and northeastern Germany) left France defeated and heralded a unified German empire under Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Inspired by the ancient Greek festivals, Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin believes bringing together athletes from around the world to compete in a spirit of friendly competition could reduce the likelihood of conflict between nations. The first modern Olympics does little to calm political tension over the rise of the German Empire, and World War I will break out in 1914. An estimated 10 million people will have died by its conclusion in 1918.

In the 1920s, research into hormonal differences perpetuates the dominant perception of women as fragile beings who are simply not physically or psychologically equipped for the strenuous effort competition demands. But women are permitted to compete in a limited number of events in Amsterdam, though the 800 meters is subsequently dropped because several athletes appear exhausted at the finish line. (The event will be reinstated in 1960.) Over the following decades, more events will be added, though there will be no women’s marathon until 1984. People in 2024 will see the 1928 games as an anachronism, though they accurately reflect the way women are perceived in the early 20th century..

Hitler’s Olympics add little to the myth of the Aryan “race” but much to the reputation of a man who established the Third Reich in 1933 and whose expansionist policy precipitates World War II (1939–1945). The games are designed to demonstrate the reemergence of Germany as an industrial power after defeat in World War I and the ability of the Nazi Party to organize a major spectacle. In this sense, the games are a success. They also disclose the usefulness of the Olympics as ways of promoting, publicizing or just disseminating information unrelated to sports. Subsequent global sports competitions will be used as political platforms.

The first Olympics to be televised live internationally via satellite — in this case Syncom 3, which launches earlier in the year. No one predicts how potent a cultural force TV will become: Its growth over the previous 15 years was astonishing, but, in subsequent decades, TV screens will dominate to the point of dependency. Prior to the Tokyo games, the Olympics themselves were modest affairs. Broadcasting transforms them. The media — which in in the 1960s were an emergent but not yet commanding phenomenon — spots the potential of sports and cultivates an interest among consumers for competition. By televising the Olympics and other events, media companies attract viewing audiences and, in turn, advertisers.

Two African American medalists, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, raise their black-gloved fists defiantly on the rostrum to signify their allegiance to the Black Power movement. The civil rights movement gathers pace in the 1960s, though not quickly enough for many blacks, and there were serious civil uprisings through 1965–1967. Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated months before the games, intensifying the atmosphere. While Smith and Carlos are roundly condemned and punished, they will later be lauded and acknowledged as crucial in making the world aware of the racism that is endemic in the USA at this time.

The killing of 11 members of Israel’s Olympic team by Black September, a Palestinian group, is part of a relentless cycle of conflict that has its roots in 1917, when the British government expressed support for the creation of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. Israel’s retaliation to what becomes known as the Munich Massacre is swift: “Operation Wrath of God” involves intelligence service Mossad tracking down and killing those responsible. Groups with ideological similarities to Black September include al-Qaeda, Hezbollah and Hamas. Mossad is still in operation, as are the Israel Defense Forces. Specific objectives, regional foci and affiliations differ, but the broader conflict is unresolved.

American swimmer Rick DeMont is the first athlete to be disqualified for a doping offense under the new International Olympic Committee (IOC) anti-doping rules. Prior to this, athletes were allowed to use performance-enhancing drugs with impunity. Over the following decades, rules will be tightened and the list of banned substances expanded. The 1970s witness a medicalization of society, in which health issues and conditions, including cognitive conditions, are increasingly examined through a medical lens. This introduces a greater reliance on pharmaceutical treatments for ailments. The irony is that, as society becomes more reliant on drugs, sports seek to expel them.

Three pipe bombs filled with nails and screws explode in Centennial Olympic Park, causing two deaths (one directly from the explosion and another from a heart attack) and injuring 111 others. The perpetrator’s intention is purportedly to protest against abortion and the apparent acceptance of homosexuality by American society. He is implicated in other bombings at abortion clinics and gay clubs. The incident will be a grim presage: Over the next several years, there will be planned explosions at sports events ­— at Stade de France (2002) for instance ­— and at music concerts — such as at the Bataclan in Paris (2015) the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England (2017).

Officially known as Tokyo 2020, the games were postponed for a year due to the COVID-19 epidemic. The games go ahead, but without spectators. The absence of spectators mirrors restrictions implemented worldwide on public gatherings and events to contain the spread of the virus. US media giant Discovery has a $1.2 billion deal to screen the games and, presumably, influence the decision to press ahead with the games. The total cost is estimated at $20 billion, making it the most expensive Olympics in history. The Tokyo games are also notable for criminal complaints against a number of advertising firms and individuals over alleged corruption.