The history of the arts in the Olympic Games

This thesis examines the history of the inclusion of art in the Olympic Games. Research explains how and why French Baron Pierre de Coubertin sought to revive the Olympic Games in 1896. Coubertin desired to model the modern Olympic Games after those in ancient Greece. He was obsessed with the ancient Greek philosophy of individual harmonious development--mind, body and spirit. From 1912 to 1948, Olympic competitions in the arts, the "Pentathlon of Muses", were held in literature, architecture, painting, sculpture and music in conjunction with sporting competitions. For various reasons, since 1952, the art competitions were replaced by art exhibitions. Each host city must present arts events in accordance with International Olympic Committee regulations. The 1996 summer Olympic Games will be held in Atlanta, Georgia and a large, multi-year, multi-disciplinary 'Cultural Olympiad' has been implemented.