The Olympics logo features five interlocking rings in different colors. The colors chosen were colors that were represented in every flag that existed at the time of origin in 1913. Photo provided.

By Darla McCammon
and DeeAnna Muraski
Guest Columnists

Darla McCammon and DeeAnna Muraski

WARSAW — We delay our Art in America series to discuss the Olympics. So, what do the Olympics have to do with art? Quite a bit actually. The Olympics are reminiscent of those times in the 1950s when there were only a few television channels; thus, everyone was glued to those programs — think “I Love Lucy” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” The beauty was that the scarcity created a connection and a binding discussion topic.

Fast forward 74 years, to the current day, where we are bombarded with too much content and limited in-person connections. Can you think of anything that links all Americans together as well as people throughout every country in the world? Interestingly, the two things I thought of are Christianity and the Olympics.

Despite what is happening now, the Olympics started as a wonderful unifying event. You can imagine in 1910 with rationed access to photos, travel, no internet, limited phone usage (and rotary phones at that) and few travel books, that most people had a very inadequate view and understanding of other cultures. The distinct clothing, mannerisms, dialect and sound of people from other areas than our own was all very fascinating. It still is. Even within our own country, a cowboy with a distinctive hat or a Kauaian with a lei and hula skirt show things that distinguish them and retain their beautiful heritage.

The Olympics sought to bring together the best and most talented to showcase each country and the world as a whole. I know this does not happen with everyone, but I like to think that the majority of us still root for the country, team and individual that wins with a hearty “well done, you” regardless of where they are from. Additionally, it takes much more courage to lose than it does to win. And the Olympic symbol is the icon of this hope.

Five simple interlocking rings in different colors. Symbolizing unity and the colors represented in every flag exiting at the time of origin (1913). Did you know they also handed out Olympic medals to artists, architects and poets? We grapple over whether pickleball and tying your shoes are Olympian-sized categories, yet they were recognizing the herculean mental efforts of artists (up until 1948). We will all witness in 2024 a re-branding of the Olympic type-facing, images and use of colors for the Olympics.

The initial rings were designed by Pierre de Coubertin, who should have received a medal. He started the Olympic committee, was co-founder, created the iconic design and was the second president of the Olympics. But he does have a medal named after him awarded at the Olympic games for sportsmanship. Coubertin was a huge advocate of physical exercise, which he had wanted to implement throughout all the schools. That initiative failed yet led to him creating the international games with high hopes it would help promote peace. Coubertin died in 1937 and requested his heart be placed in a stele in Olympia.

To Read

“This Great Symbol: Pierre de Coubertin and the Origins of the Modern Olympic Games” by John McAltoon (1981). You can find print and digital copies available online very reasonably priced.

To Go

Olympic Games. Hosted in Paris until Sunday, Aug. 11, or watch for free on network television. https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024 Many events still have tickets available … Expedia.com has plane tickets averaging $600 from Indy to Paris but you also need hotel, food and to pay for each event you attend. Do not forget monetary conversion rates.

Darla McCammon is an artist, columnist and author. DeeAnna Muraski is executive director of Operation Read USA Inc. Send an email to the mother/daughter team at [email protected].