# Should “The Olympics” Include Fine Arts? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** olympic-sports-track\ **Created:** [May 2, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081 "2024-05-02T21:38:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/1 "2024-05-02T21:38:56Z")
For the first fifty years, the modern Olympics included art competitions. Should these be resurrected? Or was this always a middling idea? > **[They Used to Award Olympic Medals for Art?](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/02/us/paris-olympics-arts-medals.html?unlocked_article_code=1.o00.ap_w.K86Jc4EorOO2&smid=url-share)** > > The founder of the modern Games thought they should honor both body and mind. But the tradition died years ago, and the winning artworks are largely forgotten. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/2 "2024-05-02T21:50:16Z")
Art is so subjective and different from one country/culture to the next I think judging it would be too difficult and open to extreme criticism. Clearly they did it before (per the OP’s article) but I think it would be different today. E.g. How would a statue of a nude woman be perceived by Muslim countries? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/3 "2024-05-02T21:53:32Z")
Maybe art _forgery_ ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/4 "2024-05-02T22:07:27Z")
I know that’s not what they mean, but I would totally watch a speed paint-off or sculpt-off. Who can produce the best original piece in 3-4 hours? Gotta be at least as interesting as race walking. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/5 "2024-05-02T22:12:49Z")
Hey, race walking is a comedy routine, right? But, umm…no. fine arts should not be an Olympic event. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/6 "2024-05-02T22:26:14Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > I know that’s not what they mean, but I would totally watch a speed paint-off or sculpt-off. Who can produce the best original piece in 3-4 hours? The Jackson Pollock heat lasts 3-4 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/7 "2024-05-02T22:30:35Z")
I think it should be like “Iron Chef” where artists have to stick to a surprise theme. _Sculptors, today, you will have to create a statue of… Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg fighting inside the Roman Colosseum!!! You have one hour. Go!!!_ ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/8 "2024-05-02T22:32:50Z")
It’s kinda a slippery slope, isn’t it? I mean, there are many cherished Olympic events that are highly subjective as it is. IMHO the Olympics should be reserved for athletic endeavors that have wide appeal around the globe and have global standards (I know there are some events that really stretch the definition of “athletic”). Fine art is going to vary culturally and there is no global standard for what’s “good”. There are other venues for artistic prizes that do not involve competition (right?). ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/9 "2024-05-02T22:35:01Z")
Imagine if the Olympics were cancelled for lack of interest! Would serve _them_ right. This could contribute to it, so it is a good thing. I’m for. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/10 "2024-05-02T22:40:39Z")
Fine arts, no. But how about mainstream pop-hobby arts like scrapbooking and design-your-own Shrinky Dinks. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/11 "2024-05-03T00:06:55Z")
It’s possible for the Olympics to include arts without awarding medals. In 2012, for instance, there was a [Cultural Olympiad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Cultural_Olympiad). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/12 "2024-05-03T00:27:46Z")
They shouldn’t include any subjectively-judged events. And yes, that includes figure skating and gymnastics. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/13 "2024-05-03T02:30:12Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > They shouldn’t include any subjectively-judged events. Boxing? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/14 "2024-05-03T04:11:59Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > They shouldn’t include any subjectively-judged events. And yes, that includes figure skating and gymnastics. At least with gymnastics and figure skating there are some clear guidelines on how points are awarded, the athletes must complete a minimum of required moves and they usually (always?) have a panel of judges and toss low and high scores. It’s not perfect but at least it tries to keep some objectivity in the mix. When you watch, most scores from the judges tend to be very close to each other with an occasional outlier. And it is certainly athletic. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/15 "2024-05-03T04:13:59Z")
In addition to telling the sculptors what to do, they should also get to dictate the medium. Otherwise, artists would decide what they were going to do months in advance. Which would make better art but be less fun. _Sculptors, today, you will be working in the medium of: GUMMY!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/16 "2024-05-03T04:26:53Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Hey, race walking is a comedy routine, right? If you only knew how right you are. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/r6-SJLlneLc/hqdefault.jpg "Almost Live, Bill Nye as "Speedwalker"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6-SJLlneLc) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/17 "2024-05-03T06:25:28Z")
Hey. No one mentioned Shrinky-dinks. I have a grandkid I need to get on the Olympic track, right now!! (Hi-jack @Cervaise , I like your new avatar) ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/18 "2024-05-03T23:01:45Z")
There is something to be said for the amateur spirit which has been lost. Personally, I would love to see the best players from many countries compete in **Olympic Hungry, Hungry Hippo**. The sad thing is that this would not reduce the prestige and integrity of the Games, which has already been much debased. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/19 "2024-05-03T23:37:27Z")
Yeah, no, the Olympics should be about physical-athletic contests only. I don’t want fine art, e-gaming, or anything else in there. Otherwise we’d soon have classical-flute competitions and the whole thing is not sport anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2024, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081/20 "2024-05-03T23:41:36Z")
Including the arts in the Olympics is a tradition that goes back a few years. From the [Wikipedia article on the ancient games](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Olympic_Games#Culture), “Artistic expression was a major part of the games. Sculptors, poets, painters and other artisans would come to the games to display their works in what became an artistic competition. Poets would be commissioned to write poems in praise of the Olympic victors.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-the-olympics-include-fine-arts/1001081.md?page=2)