Today August 5 2016, Games of the XXXI Olympiad start
Mary Pilon, The New York Times, July 18 2016:
"...Because
sports are a religion, it’s difficult to imagine a world without the Olympics,
and to be sure, they have given us many glorious moments. It would be easy to
conclude that the Olympic “movement” has lost its way since the time of
Coubertin’s lofty vision, but that, as Goldblatt demonstrates, would be to rewrite
history, since the idea of a clean and easy way to achieve peace through sport
was a benevolent myth in the first place."
Livia Drusilla, 30 January 58 BC – 28 September 29 AD:
“I've a few words to
say to you before these games begin. Well, gather round. Now, these games are
being held in honor of my son, Drusus Nero, who was worth the whole lot of you
put together. It's my intention that these games shall be remembered long after
you're all dead and forgotten even by your nearest and dearest. You're all scum
and you know it, but you've a chance here - some of you - to prove that you're
a bit more than that. And for those whom death doesn't liberate, there'll be
plenty of freedoms handed out afterwards - to say nothing of gold plate and
coin. But... I want a good show. I want my money's worth! I don't want any
kiss-in-the-ring stuff. And I don't want my family watching two grown men pussyfooting
around each other for half an hour before one of them aims a real blow. There's
been too much of that in the past. And, don't think you can fool me either
because I know every trick in the book, including the pig's blood in the
bladder to make it look as if one of you is dead. There's been too much of that
too lately. These games are being degraded by the increasing use of
professional tricks to stay alive, and I won't have it. So put on a good show
and there'll be plenty of money for the living and a decent burial for the
dead. And, if not, I'll break this guild up and I'll send the lot of you to the
mines in Numidia. That's all I've got to say to you.”
(from Episode 4, ‘I,
Claudius’, 1976 BBC Television adaptation of Robert Graves's I, Claudius and
Claudius the God.)
Majestic Siân Phillips as Livia