Durkhemian Rhapsody
Here you will find short articles by our Fellows on current topics.
Olympia 2024
Like the world exhibitions, the Olympic Games claim to represent the world and invite participation. A highly complex organizational structure, composed of national and international elements, a complicated set of rules with an infinite number of normative sub-orders of the individual special disciplines with their own jurisdiction and finally the great rituals of the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the awarding of the medals! These dimensions of social life developed by Durkheim create moments of effervescence in which the individual, mediated by symbols - the Olympic rings, the national flags, etc. - outgrows himself and - ideally - finds himself in a community of those who believe in fair competition and the victory of the best.
Our authors dedicate their contributions to the many dimensions and effects of the Olympic Games on society.
Olympische Spiele in der höfischen Gesellschaft – Zur Pariser Olympiade 2024
In the article “Olympic Games in courtly society - On the 2024 Paris Olympics”, Werner Gephart looks at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris through the prism of French history and Durkheim's sociological theories. The Games are seen not only as a sporting event, but also as a kind of ritual spectacle that reflects the traditions of courtly society and the ideals of the French Revolution - “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”.
While the opening ceremony is staged as an ironic homage to the “Société de Cour”, the closing ceremony represents a contrast to American modernity, which is symbolized by the banalization of Los Angeles. In the staging, Paris has succeeded in ensuring that future Games, such as 2028 in Los Angeles, should be aware of the historical and social dimensions in order to create real community beyond pure competition and to view the Olympic Games as a complex cultural and historical phenomenon.
Durkheim’s Inequality Paradigm: Global Disparities and Nigeria’s Olympic struggles at Paris 2024
The paper by Chioma Daisy Onyige offers a compelling exploration of how the theories of Émile Durkheim resonate with the world of sports today. Through Durkheim's lens, the 2024 Paris Olympics are more than just a showcase of athletic prowess—they're a mirror reflecting global inequalities.
Onyige delves into how nations like Nigeria struggle on the Olympic stage, not due to a lack of talent, but because of the vast disparities in resources, training, and infrastructure when compared to wealthier countries. The bittersweet success of Nigerian-born athletes who compete for other nations adds another layer to this narrative, highlighting the migration of talent from resource-poor to resource-rich countries. This phenomenon not only underscores global inequality but also raises questions about national pride and identity.
Blending academic insight with journalistic flair, Onyige's work challenges us to rethink the true cost of international competitions like the Olympics. It's not just about medals—it's about the structural inequalities that determine who gets to compete, who wins, and who watches from the sidelines.