Pharrell Wants to Bring Back Arts Competitions to the Olympics

Pharrell Wants to Bring Back Arts Competitions to the Olympics

As a gamer with a deep appreciation for both sports and arts, I must say that Pharrell Williams has struck a chord with me. His vision to reintroduce arts competitions into the Olympics is not only innovative but also nostalgic, harkening back to a time when the world’s biggest stage celebrated not just physical prowess, but also creative brilliance.


Pharrell Williams envisions a return of art competitions to the Olympics, a practice that hasn’t been seen for around 80 years. As stated in an Associated Press report, Williams is imagining a world where the grandest sports event also acknowledges exceptional sculpture, architecture, and visual arts. During his recent high-profile Louis Vuitton event in Paris, Pharrell advocated for the reintroduction of arts in the Olympics by 2028. In a heartfelt speech prior to the event, he stated, “The Olympics previously held art competitions, such as sculpture, architecture, visual arts. Let’s remind people of this legacy and take advantage of this opportunity to raise awareness.”

As an ardent admirer of culture and creativity, let me reminisce about the remarkable occasion when the arts were integrated into the 1912 Stockholm Olympics. The unique aspect was that medals were bestowed upon the winners across various categories such as architecture, literature, music, painting, and sculpture. This captivating blend continued until 1948, when the International Olympic Committee made a decision to eliminate the arts competitions from the Games. Regrettably, an attempt to resurrect these events in 1952 didn’t come to fruition either.

At the Louis Vuitton Foundation, Pharrell presided over a gathering that attracted a star-studded audience consisting of figures such as LeBron James, Steven Spielberg, Mick Jagger, Zendaya, Anna Wintour, Charlize Theron, Serena Williams, Rosalía, Snoop Dogg, Queen Latifah, and others. Inside this venue, the artist himself likened it to an “indoor amusement park,” showcasing engaging art exhibits by celebrated artists including KAWS, Daniel Arsham, and Derek Fordjour.

As a passionate gamer, I was thrilled to see an influx of generous contributions throughout the gaming marathon I participated in. My goal was to give back and aid Olympic aspirants, focusing particularly on the 36 athletes from 11 diverse nations who proudly represented the Refugee Olympic Team this year.

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2024-07-31 18:26