Chatbug Karen

The Olympics are more than a sporting event. The production is a marketing event. From promotional pens to toys and clothing, products are sold. Tradition is also followed with the music from the Olympics. Da da, da da da da! Do you recognize that as the theme song from the Olympics? I wondered about the correlation with music and the history of the Olympics and so I did some investigating.

From Yahoo: The founding father of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, felt the Games needed to integrate sport and the arts and his zeal led to the creation of competitions in music, sculpture, painting, literature and architecture in 1912. After 1948, the arts competitions were abandoned, and the host cities focused instead on the cultural festival held in the run-up to and throughout the Games.

I noticed the music that was played during the women’s volleyball competition. It cracked me up when they began playing Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head. I think the competitors were trying to ignore the rain. The musical lineup will include performances by Italian pop tenor Andrea Bocelli and British soprano Sarah Brightman. The national anthem of the winning country is played as medals are presented. I could tell that Michael Phelps was holding back tears as the Star Spangled Banner was played during the presentation of which he received the gold medal.

It would be hard to imagine the Olympics without music.

Tags: Michael Phelps, music, Olympics, womens volleyball competition