You can download PDFs of the "official Olympic reports" back to the first Olympics of the modern era in 1896. The reports summarize each of the games, including how they were organized, what happened from day to day and who won each event. From the preface of the 1896 edition:
This revival, after the lapse of many centuries, of the international athletic Games of the ancients, irresistibly draws our thoughts towards the historic valley of Elis, within which during almost twelve centuries the flower of the Hellenic world, that is in other words, the flower of the civilized humanity of antiquity, assembled, in order, beneath the ægis of a mighty and pacific divinity, to bear witness to the continuous development and improvement, both intellectual and physical, of those who were the rulers, the inhabitants, and the defenders of the cities subject to them. Moreover the assembling and welding together of the finest specimens of ancient civilization, together with the cessation of all hostilities during the celebration of the Games, prefigured the rise of that more general doctrine of the brotherhood and peaceful union of all nations dwelling upon earth, and was a step in advance towards the grand idea of united humanity. Thus no fundamental principle of the civilization of man remained foreign to ancient Hellas.
The undertaking of a brief, but clear and accurate description of the ancient Olympic Games upon which the excavations made twenty years ago at Olympia have cast a clear light, is undoubtedly useful for a better and fuller comprehension of the International Athletic Games which are to be celebrated in Athens. We learn from it how very little modern Athletic Games differ from the ancient, not only in the general idea, but even in details, being founded on the same eternal principles which the Greeks laid down for the appreciation of the moral and physical improvement of all free citizens.
Now that's writing. The author, Timoleon Philemon, was a Greek journalist from Cyprus and the secretary general of the 1896 games.
The 1936 edition for the Berlin games includes this quote from Adolph Hitler:
Sporting and chivalrous competition awakens the best human qualities. It does not sever, but on the contrary, unites the opponents in mutual understanding and reciprocal respect. It also helps to strengthen the bonds of peace between the nations. May the Olympic Flame therefore never be extinguished.
You couldn't have a clearer reminder why you should never take politicians words at face value, even more so when they wrap themselves in the glory of ancient traditions. I wonder if the next edition will include mention of Tibet.
[via Global-l]
