The First Spirit Olympics

What other initiatives could justify the Israeli pretension to be a light unto the nations in a positive context - not victimized and preachy? The local baboon offers a brilliant proposal to the Israeli government that will help fight antisemitism through competitiveness and envy. More cultured, higher, stronger

When one could win an Olympic medal anonymously. The Baron (Source)

Few know that Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games that began in 1896, himself won a gold medal in the 1912 Games, and he did so anonymously. The field in which the Baron won an Olympic medal might surprise contemporary viewers of the Games: literature. It turns out that the Olympic Games were not always a celebration of the body alone. At the Baron's initiative, starting from 1912, competitions were also held in various artistic fields, a practice that ceased after World War II. Even the Delphic Games, which were the early model for the Olympic Games in ancient Greece, included competitions in the arts, which even preceded the sports competitions. In their earliest origin, the sacred games in Greece began as competitions in the realm of the spirit, until the body took over as the basic Pan-Hellenic common denominator.

Globalization culture makes extensive use of the human body to cross boundaries of nationality and culture. Whether it's global sporting events that unite all of humanity around them, international food and clothing brands, or images of violence, sex, and pornography - the lowest common denominator of the body crosses cultures. But considering the anti-cultural implications of focusing exclusively on the material side of human beings, it is worth seeking a cultural common denominator for humanity as well.

In light of the success and immense cognitive significance of global competitions in the realm of the body, it is possible to initiate an international Olympics in the realm of the spirit. Israel, in particular, has successful experience in this field, with the television tradition of the International Bible Contest. An intellectual Olympics would be a competition between representatives of national delegations from countries around the world, held every four years, and would include the main academic disciplines. In the humanities and social sciences, the competition could be based on a knowledge quiz and include Olympic disciplines such as history, psychology, philosophy, world literature, art history, law, archaeology, and geography. In the exact sciences, the competition could be conducted in the style of science Olympiads, which combine puzzles with knowledge quizzes, in Olympic disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, neuroscience, and computer science.

The language of the competitions would, of course, be English, with simultaneous translation into major languages, and live broadcast of the competitions worldwide. The question writers and judges would be world-renowned academics, chosen by the Humanistic Olympic Committee, with emphasis placed on intercultural balance. Every country in the world would be allowed to send representatives to the competition, and the anticipated prestige battle between countries might turn out to be no less instinctive and inflamed than in the regular Olympics. Hosting the Olympics would rotate among the various cultural capitals of the world, which could compete among themselves for its location.

Similar to the Nobel Prize, such a competition can capture global attention even if it originates from a relatively small country. In fact, the world's imagination might be drawn to it precisely if it comes from the People of the Book, who are much more known for their competitiveness and global excellence in the intellectual field than in the sports field. The State of Israel can see this as an opportunity to position itself in a positive global cultural context, in accordance with a glorious Jewish tradition, too neglected today, of contributing to the universal world of the spirit. This is certainly a worthy inter-ministerial initiative for the Ministries of Culture, Foreign Affairs, and Public Diplomacy. By the way, there's no reason why the first Spirit Olympics shouldn't be held in Jerusalem, and thus we might finally get to see Israeli gold medals.