The Olympic-Sized Leadership Challenge of IOC Chairman Jacques Rogge
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You think life is tough? Imagine you were Jacques Rogge. Imagine you were president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and had to rest your head last night fearing the “Journey of Harmony” was going to explode yet again, this time on the streets of San Francisco.
The Journey of Harmony is the moniker that in a moment of cockeyed optimism was bestowed on the Olympic torch relay, the 21-nation promotional tour for the 2008 Olympics, to be held this summer in Beijing. Ostensibly it is Rogge’s task to ensure that the relay, and everything else about the fabled Games, runs smoothly, without a hitch. But as was foretold before the relay even began, and as is being foretold before the Games even begin, this Olympics is unlike any other Olympics. This Olympics cannot be easily led, managed, or even controlled. As Rogge is discovering along with any number of Chinese officials, in the 21st century leaders have less power and their putative followers have more.
Rogge’s immediate predecessor as president of the IOC was the formidable Juan Antonio Samaranch, who ushered in the Olympic movement as we now know it. But Samaranch had far too free a hand and he presided over the IOC for far too long (20 plus years). By the time he finally was effectively fired (2001), the Games were tarnished by scandal, by corruption and drugging. Rogge, then, an orthopedic surgeon and former Olympic sailor, with long ties to European Olympic Committees and a reputation for being honest and mild-mannered, was brought in as savior. His main charge was to mop up the mess left by Samaranch, and to restore to the Games their fabled luster. Not in a million years could he or anyone else have imagined that not many years down the line his leadership task would devolve into one of the most complex and challenging in the world.
Let’s be clear here: Within the Olympic movement Jacques Rogge has power, authority, and influence. But outside the Olympic movement who even knows his name? Yet here he is – the only man to whom to turn, in the faint hope that he might bring order to disorder.
In the wake of the protests in Paris, which followed similar protests in London, and foretell further protests elsewhere in the world, mostly against China’s record on human rights (think Darfur along with Tibet), Rogge found himself between the proverbial rock and hard place. On the one hand he is trying his level best to mollify the Chinese, increasing infuriated by those determined to waylay their best laid plans. And, on the other hand, he is trying his level best to placate human rights activists, who are refusing to shut up and go away. So far Rogge is treading carefully, right down the middle, criticizing those who interfered with the Olympic torch (“I am deeply saddened by the fact that such an important symbol has been attacked”), but also calling for a rapid and peaceful solution to the confrontations in Tibet (“I am very concerned with the international situation and what’s happening in Tibet”). In any case he is anxious to preclude even the possibility of an Olympic boycott, assuring his hosts this week in Beijing, “Some people have played with the idea of boycotts . . . [but] there is no momentum for a general boycott.”
But if, as leader of the international Olympic movement, he is to be other than a figurehead, Rogge cannot continue to hold to the diplomatic niceties with which he is the most comfortable. Among the growing demands on him are those being made by the athletes themselves, who are looking to him to provide guidelines on how under the circumstances to conduct themselves. On this at the least he will have to take a clear position - lest he let down the very men and women the Games are supposed to serve.
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Barbara Kellerman is the James MacGregor Burns Lecturer in Public Leadership at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. She was the Founding Executive Director of the Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership, from 2000 to 2003; and from 2003 to 2006 she served as the Center’s Research Director. She is author and editor of many books and articles on leadership. She is the author of 
Comments
As is increasingly the case today, this is the time for Roggee to exhibit true leadership. This would include redefining the games, the Olympic spirit, and the responsibilities for all world athletes in participation. It is critical to not allow the games to be used for political purposes, while advancing the common interests and human spirit the Olympics stand for.
This is not easy or without risk, but the greater risk of the games being defined by special interests is a far greater threat to him and to the Olympic games.
As with much occurring today, leadership is the key to moving forward despite the disruptions of politics, economics, etc., that can so easily derail any well developed plans. Very little occurs today that plays according to script. The time for effective leadership is now.
- Posted by Deborah Hagar
April 21, 2008 4:19 PM
The best way to prevent the games from being used for political purposes is to allow the sort of protest that we have seen in London, Paris and San Francisco to take place. Mr. Rogge and the IOC should not select routes for the Olympic torch that would by-pass cities or countries whose citizens want to voice dissent or opposition to the host country's policies.
Would not the 1980 Olympics been better served by worldwide protests at the USSR's invation of Afghanistan along the route of the Torch, yet all the world's atheletes competed in Moscow?
Indeed, Mr. Rogge has a unique opportunity to demonstrate true leadership: by allowing (and perhaps promoting) appropriate outlets for the world's citizens and the athlete's to protest, yet participate in the athletics without rubber-stamping the messages that the host country hopes to convey.
- Posted by Patrick Cook
April 21, 2008 4:55 PM
I think so,
What is the philosophy of Olympic games?
But what is the ethics of Olypic games?
So,If know the two answers already each country will weigth the two answers by yourself.You will known the direction of your country.
If each country can classify Olympic game from Political peaceful will stay along the Earth.
Best Regards
P.Sihirunwong
- Posted by Paramest Sihirunwong
April 21, 2008 11:57 PM
I am saddened to see the Olympics turned into a political rally or statement. Although in history it would suggest that this has been building to this level, the event is more potent given that we as the world are more in tuned due to technology in disseminating information.
As I see it, Mr. Jacques Rogge does not have a lot of options. To bring back the true spirit of the games, he would almost need to cut out the commercial aspects of the Olympics which will lead to the mitigation of the political points being made. In my opinion, the two are interrelated and let's not kid ourselves, the Olympics is big business. If you do cut out the commercial aspects, then that could spell the end of the Olympics.
- Posted by Robert Hsu
April 22, 2008 10:42 AM
I am saddened to see the Olympics turned into a political rally or statement. Although in history it would suggest that this has been building to this level, the event is more potent given that we as the world are more in tuned due to technology in disseminating information.
As I see it, Mr. Jacques Rogge does not have a lot of options. To bring back the true spirit of the games, he would almost need to cut out the commercial aspects of the Olympics which will lead to the mitigation of the political points being made. In my opinion, the two are interrelated and let's not kid ourselves, the Olympics is big business. If you do cut out the commercial aspects, then that could spell the end of the Olympics.
- Posted by Robert Hsu
April 22, 2008 10:43 AM
2008 Olympics seems to be negatively effected by world political trends.
The True sprit of this amazing event has been threatened by different groups in different states.
Politics & Sports carry two different values. It's sad that they fail to understand this truth and mess up the event!
Mr. Jacques Rogge is in front of a tough task, better to follow his own style to handle this rather than seek for examples.
- Posted by kasun Rajapakse
April 22, 2008 3:42 PM
What would you say, what would you do if in your neighbourhood you are watching how a man is beating up a helpless child? Would you say: "Oh, thats not my business. Thats not my responsibility. Thats not my sphere of political influence. And anyway, tomorrow I will play some golf with this guy and make some business with him. I don't want to mess up my relationship with him." You say, this has nothing to do with china, tibet and the olympic games? In my eyes this is exactly the same. But always we value money, business, "good relationships" higher than ethics, integrity and a clear cut attitude. I personally admire leaders who have the courage to stand for human rights even if it costs them something. The olympic games should not be (ab-)used politically? Since the IOC gave the games to china it became a political question. Or is there anybody who really believes that china is not takeing political advantage of the games?
- Posted by Herbert Kubat
April 23, 2008 11:50 AM
What if the olympic game is held by USA? Are there still some people call that a political game? The answer is yes. No matter what kind of sport game,if it is held by some country which has some power in the world, it could be called political game by some people who hates the host country. So it is normal. We do not need to put our attention to that small group people who are the real messy ones, just let them be. The Olympic game is still our all human's grand sports party.
- Posted by Qiaolei
April 25, 2008 2:18 AM
Jacques Rogge is about as despicable a pig as the laboratory concocted spawn of Alexander Kolchak and Kenesaw Mountain Landis which I believe he is. Rogge, who was knighted by the Grand Inquisitor of Belgian Imperialism “King” Albert II, has one primary mission: helping divert the international class struggle into the mindless idiocy of nationalism. His special portfolio is, I believe, Minister of Sport for the Department of Diverting The International Proletariat Struggle.
courtesy of:
http://thejonesyreport.blogspot.com/
- Posted by jonesy
April 26, 2008 11:47 PM