The Other Olympics

Olympics with character: Thirteen international, multi-sport events. More than just a medal drives these athletes. Ottille wants to be a role model and honour her donor at the World Transplant Games, Zeljko researches his art at the Gay Games. Armenians gather from around the world to celebrate their independence and thousands are in New York commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11 at the World Police and Fire Games. Olympism should be more than a medal, it should be more than just sport. When Baron de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee he dreamed of bringing the youth of the world together, celebrating their achievements by sharing and learning from the best of others. The sportsmen and women of the 2011 Other Olympics weren’t always the elite. Some will compete at London 2012 whilst others would barely make the school team. I wanted to understand the motivation behind these events, the identity of those taking part and the stories of the games. On my year long journey I interviewed a Princess, went shopping with the Palestinian National Football Team and benefited from great kindness. These games show Olympism lies not in the winning but the taking part.