Olympism in Singapore

Abstract

The inauguration of the Singapore Olympic Academy in 1994 brought with it the challenge of promoting Olympism in this region of South East Asia. Olympism focuses on the intellectual, moral and physical development of the individual, and therefore generates close links between the respective learning environments of the classroom and the playing field.

On a broader level, it looks beyond the school to spread its philosophy to the general public as a whole and to specialist groups engaged in sport.

This paper outlines the origins of Olympism, its objectives as a philosophy of life, and the issues and problems that are its main concerns. How do the values promoted by Olympism compare with the national values of Singapore? Special consideration is given to one of the inherent contradictions within Olympism, that being the conflict between competition and cooperation. And can the promotion of a distinctive philosophy fully support the systems of sport for all and sports excellence as they exist at present?