Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of Human dignity.

The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organized, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world’s athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.

The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organization, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organizations.

Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic
movement.

In the early 20th century, many Olympic athletes used drugs to enhance their performance. For example, the winner of the marathon at the 1904 Games, Thomas Hicks, was given strychnine and brandy by his coach, even during the race.

It was not until the late 1960s that sports federations put a ban on doping, and the IOC followed suit in 1967. In the late 1990s, the IOC took initiative in a more organized battle against doping, leading to the formation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 1999.

"All sports for all people. This is surely a phrase that people will consider foolishly utopian. That prospect troubles me not at all. I have pondered and studied it at length, and know that it is correct and possible", wrote Pierre de Coubertin in 1919. The future proved him right.

By retaining all rights relating to the organisation, marketing, broadcasting and reproduction of the Olympic Games, the IOC ensures the continuity of a unique and universal event.

Advertisement regulations are still very strict, at least on the actual playing field, although "Official Olympic Sponsors" are common. Athletes are only allowed to have the names of clothing and equipment manufacturers on their outfit. The sizes of these markings are limited.

For example, the winner of the marathon at the 1904 Games, Thomas Hicks, was given strychnine and brandy by his coach, even during the race.

• 1956-Arab Nations protesting Israel’s Military
  
• 1976-African Nations protesting New Zealand’s South Africa Rugby tour
  
• 1932-1984-China for many different purposes.
  
• 1980 and 1984-Massive Boycotts due to the Cold War
  

Olympic Charter excerpt
The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit

I liked the -- let’s see -- Iraqi soccer. I liked seeing the Afghan woman carrying the flag coming in.

while the organization claims to want drug-free competition, the image of the Games, and their ability to attract lucrative corporate sponsors, would be damaged if star athletes were eliminated from competition by positive drug tests.[5]

“Let us export our oarsmen, our runners, our fencers into other lands. That is the true Free Trade of the future; and the day it is introduced into Europe the cause of Peace will have received a new and strong ally.”

Through this global and symbolic concept, the IOC aims to:
- raise awareness and encourage political leaders to act in favour of peace;
- establish contacts between communities in conflict;
- offer humanitarian support in countries at war

"The apartheid policy violates the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter, which governs the entire Olympic Movement and it cannot be tolerated in any form whatsoever."

By January, an IOC investigation accused 13 Olympic officials of accepting bribes from Salt Lake City organizers. At least four IOC members were forced to resign, and the IOC said it would change the way it selected host cities.

Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic movement.

Anti-nationalism is the idea that nationalism is dangerous and leads to conflict and war. [and] ..the idea..must reject...jingoism [patriotism].

Beijing's decision to back ratification of the covenant on economic, social and cultural rights may be a first step toward respecting international human-rights standards. The covenant lays down basic standards for health care, education and the alleviation of poverty.

China released a former prominent student leader from the 1989 student protests who was sentenced to two and a half years in a forced labor camp, a human rights group said Wednesday.

Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race,...politics, ...is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic movement.

• A cease-fire in Bosnia in 1994
  
• The two Koreas marching under the same flag as a sign of unity in 2000
  
• A pause in bombing of Iraq in 1998
  
• A pledge by African leaders to halt hostilities in 2000