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Olympic report’: report by Josep Elias and Juncosa on the official presentation of Barcelona’s bid for the VIII Olympic Games (1920). Inside: Barcelona’s bid to host the VIII Olympic Games (1924)

Date
1920
Archive
National Archive of Catalonia
Document type
Textual
Reference code
ANC1-737-T-5265
Link to the online document
Description

The “Olympic Report” by Josep Elias i Juncosa, written in 1920, documents the official presentation of Barcelona’s candidacy to host the VIII Olympic Games in 1924. This report is a key testimony of the city’s international ambition and of Catalonia’s desire to project itself to the world through sport. In a context of European reconstruction after the First World War, Barcelona’s candidacy symbolizes the aspiration to be an active part of the dialogue between nations through values ​​such as peace, coexistence and fraternity. The document reflects a new way of understanding cultural and sports diplomacy, and places Barcelona as a pioneer in the use of sport as a tool for international projection. This piece is part of the themes of international relations and culture, and reinforces the image of a modern Catalonia, open and committed to European ideals.