GR26 - CC - Resistance – Political Protest

The activity was carried out in the school lab and focused on exploring the connection between the Olympic Games, politics, and human rights. It was structured into four main stages.

In the first stage, students were encouraged to reflect on whether sport can truly remain separate from politics. Through guided questions and examples, students discussed how international conflicts, political decisions, and human rights issues can influence global sporting events. This introductory discussion helped students express initial opinions and become aware of different perspectives.

In the second stage, students were divided into small groups and assigned research topics related to political protests and exclusions in Olympic history. Some groups examined cases where countries were banned or boycotted the Games for political or ethical reasons, while other groups focused on individual athletes who protested or refused to compete against athletes from specific countries. Students were guided to use credible sources such as official Olympic documents, historical articles, news reports, and documentaries.

In the third stage, each group organized its findings and prepared a short presentation. Students explained the historical context, political motivations, and consequences of each case, highlighting how political actions can have global visibility and impact through the Olympic Games.
In the final stage, a structured class discussion followed, allowing students to compare cases, reflect on ethical dilemmas, and consider the role of athletes, institutions, and governments in promoting or challenging Olympic values.