Week4: The Olympics as a positive or negative global event

In 27 July 2012, the 2012 summer Olympic Games were started in London. Over 10,000 peoplefrom 204 countries or regions enter the event. Therefore, the event could be a good source for globalisation. This post will discuss about a positive effect of Olympic Games in globalisation and the problem.

In the opening ceremony, we could see all participating nations and regions in one ground. Also the ceremony was relayed throughout worldwide. It could be good opportunity to know each country and regions because that includes somewhere inconspicuous areas in economical or political scene. Those areas are not focused by media very often; therefore Olympic Games could be a good opportunity for them. 

However after the opening ceremony, main media report only specific games or match; for example, almost all relays are related with Australian athlete or popular sports in Australia. In other words, people could not watch many events if it is not related with Australia athlete. No doubt, many people are interested in own country; however, it is not good for the point of introduce other countries because the information is controlled by main media.

According to Short( 2008, p.325), “The Olympic Games is one of the truly global media events in which people around the world watch the same event in real time for two weeks every four years”.

If the media is not lean into only own country, the Olympic Game would be a great global event.

Image source:
http://www.weebirdy.com/2012/07/wee-obsession-the-hill-at-the-london-2012-opening-ceremony.html/148280581sm00395_2012_olymp

http://au.eurosport.com/rowing/olympic-games-london/2012/oz-rower-held-by-police_sto3371576/story-london.shtml

Reference:

Short, J 2008, ‘City: analysis of urban trends, culture, theory, policy, action’, Vol.12, Issue.3, pp. 321-340, retrieved 8 August 2012, < http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13604810802478888>