Central Ohioans for Peace

OLYMPIC GAMES: PEACEFUL IDEALS WRECKED BY INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Presentation by Samir Gharbo, PH.D
Monday, May 19, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Columbus Mennonite Church
35 Oakland Park Ave.

Dr. Gharbo narrates the history of the old and modern Olympics. He presents the social ideals, rituals, policies and the use of advanced technology in the games. He addresses the several distressing politically motivated incidents that disturbed the jamboree of the the youth of the world in the most appealing peaceful gatherings. The most noticeable episode started with Jesse Owens/Hitler in Berlin 1936 followed by the detrimental boycott of the Moscow games in 1980 and continues through to the controversies of Beijing 2008. A few short general and personal anecdotes are recounted followed by audience discussion.
Dr. Gharbo is a triple Olympian. He represented Egypt in water polo in London 1948, Helsinki 1952 and Rome 1960 and is an international referee. The Egyptian team missed the Melbourne games of 1956 because of politics. He was the volunteer coach of the OSU water polo teams, Big Ten and State Champions in the eighties. The speaker is vice president of Central Ohioans for Peace and is adjunct professor at Columbus State Community College.