By retracing a century of Olympiads, the exhibition explores the multiple societal challenges of the world’s largest sporting event. Since its re-creation in 1896, the Olympic Games have continued to reflect and accompany the evolution of the modern world.
While the Olympic spirit carries a message of universal peace, the Games have sometimes led to heightened rivalries between nations and athletes. While the Olympic Charter proclaims that everyone must have the opportunity to practice sport without discrimination of any kind, the history of the Olympic Games is marked by battles against all forms of exclusion.
The exhibition gives a significant place to the instrumentalization of sport and the Olympic Games by totalitarian and authoritarian regimes. It explores the many facets of the Olympic Games, particularly those of 1936, 1968 and 1972, and highlights the individual destinies of famous or unknown athletes to the general public. It aims to show how Olympic values can contribute to a strong commitment to tolerance and inclusion.
From written, sound and audiovisual archives, objects, literary extracts and a wide iconography, the bilingual exhibition is accompanied by a route and a booklet for family visits.
Curatorship: Paul Dietschy, professor of contemporary history, director of the Lucien Febvre Centre at the University of Franche-Comté; Caroline François, coordinator of the travelling exhibitions of the Shoah Memorial and Hubert Strouk, Head of the educational department of the Shoah Memorial, assisted by Clara Volcouve and Clara Lainé.
Graphic design: ÉricandMarie.
Scenography: Razzle Dazzle.
Museography: Élise Petitpez.
Programming around the exhibition: Julie Maeck, program manager, Pauline Dubuisson, auditorium coordinator, assisted by Camille Lio
Iconographic and documentary research: Caroline François assisted by Clara Volcouve, Bruna Lo Biundo and Sandra Nagel (Past/ Not Past)
Free admission
Memorial of the Shoah of Paris
3rd floor
