Citius, Altius, Fortius: why should we care about sporting achievements?

This is the second debate of a two-part event. Students and apprentices can attend free of charge.

For details of the first debate, see:

Sports often capture the world’s attention, even for those who don’t consider themselves fans. Take the Paris Olympics, where billions were glued to screens worldwide, witnessing moments of triumph and heartbreak. Or the recent Euros in Germany, where millions attended live matches, and over 22million Germans watched the opening game alone. But beyond the scores and results, what is it about these events that compels such universal interest?

Is it simply the pursuit of excellence, the thrill of seeing humans push boundaries? Athletes like Abebe Bikila, who won the 1960 Olympic marathon barefoot after his shoes caused blisters, were once symbols of talent, determination, and grit. Even modest football clubs like Celtic and Nottingham Forest rose to European glory, suggesting that with enough hard work, anyone could reach the top.

But does this still hold true today? Money now plays an outsized role in who wins. Wealthier nations, like the US and China, dominate the Olympic medal tables, pouring millions into training programmes. In football, the richest clubs, backed by billionaires, often prevail in elite tournaments. And controversies surrounding fairness further complicate the idea of equal competition. The Paris 2024 Games was marred by controversy because two gold-medal winners in women’s boxing are thought to have male chromosomes. Under the new Self-Determination Act, a man wanting to participate in a women’s team can sue any club that refuses to allow them to. Going further back, the GDR had huge success in women’s athletics and swimming thanks to a highly organised drugs programme.

Does sport need to be fair for us to admire it? Has it actually ever been a ‘fair fight‘? Can we overlook the inequalities and controversies and simply marvel at the extraordinary performances? In the end, is it the competition that matters, or the stories that captivate us – whether just or not? When a runner breaks a record, are we witnessing something deeper about human potential and progress? What can sporting achievement tell us about humanity and progress?

Speakers:

Stephanie Adam

physiotherapist and former athlete

Dr Stefan Chatrath

professor of sports marketing, University of Applied Sciences Europe

Robert Jablukov

CEO, UFC GYM Germany

Sascha Tamm

head of North America/Latin America Unit, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom; columnist and podcast host, eigentümlich frei

Host or Publisher Freiblickinstitut