The Lost Art of The Olympic World

Javelin, triple jump, 100m, boxing: all a sport to get excited about when we tune into our 4 yearly Olympics.

If you're anything like me, the Olympics are an exciting way to get through the summer ( along with cocktails and late night barbeques ). I love sitting on the sofa with my cup of tea ( or cocktail ), while eating a chocolate éclair and telling myself "I could have been an athlete".

Long gone are the days of athleticism and so recognisable are the days of late night curries and Netflix.

However, with laziness comes creativity; at least for me. Those late nights have always helped me to think and create pieces of writing, products for my shop and often paint.

But, did you know that between 1912 and 1948 Art competitions formed part of the modern Olympic Games?

The Olympic movements founder: Pierre de Fredy, Baton de Coubertin, made it his intention to award medals to artists inspired by sport and he divided these into five categories up until 1928: Architecture, Literature, Painting, Sculpture and Music.

These competitions were named 'The Pentathlon of the Muses'.

The Dutch organising committee split these five categories into sub categories from the summer 1928 Olympics to help and increase participation. However, although this was initially successful, the sub categories were later disbanded, which led to few participation.

During the summer Olympics of 1936, the German government proposed the addition of a film contest in support of the program. However, this was later rejected.

A fascinating and unique historical fact that as an artist of several types of creation; I am ashamed to say I did not know until recently.

In 1954, the juried art competitions were cancelled. This is due to the opinion taken at the time that artists were considered 'professionals' and Olympic athletes were considered to be 'amateurs'. (A fantastic smug look appears on my face as I briefly imagine being told I am more professional than an athlete).

Just as you think all hope is lost for artists within the Olympic circle (or circles), I then learned that since 1956, the Olympic Cultural Programme has taken place.

However, no competitions take place for Artists in the Olympics anymore. But, cultural and artistic practice is still displayed via the Cultural Olympiad.

In the time that medals were given out between 1912 and 1948; there were 146 medallists.

Another astonishing fact surrounding the Art Olympics, involves founder Pierre de Coubertin. Under the pseudonyms Georges Hohrod and Martin Eschbach, he won a gold medal in the literature category at the 1912 Summer Olympics.

A list of Olympic medallists in art competitions can be found on Wikipedia the link below.

So artists, painters, writers and creators of all kinds. Know that not only are our words, pictures and ideas implanted in the last several decades to help create fashion, movements and even stand up to politics. But, we also firmly have our place among the athletes of the 20th century.

It's not often artists and athletes are read on the same page. But I am glad from today, I will never read a page the same again. Because after all, we are all creative in our own way.

A writer creates a series of words that pull perfectly together. A painter blends the perfect colours to make their own shades. A singer hits the perfect notes and an athlete creates that perfect rhythm in order to run at a certain pace, jump or even throw.

So when I tuck into my late night Chinese during the next Olympics and stare at the bottoms of the volley ladies (wishing mine still looked like that), I'll remember that my creative roots were at one point very much a large part of these competitions.

And, are very much still instilled within this great, worldwide competition.