I just learned that artists used to compete in the modern Olympics

The London 1948 Olympic Games souvenir poster
(Image credit: Heritage Images via Getty Images)

Last night, a documentary about the modern Olympic Games taught me something new. The modern Olympic Games used to award medals for art. Alongside the curling, hurdling and general running around, events were also held for artistic pursuits like sculpture. And this wasn't even a short-lived phenomenon – these events went on for the entire first four decades of its life, from 1912 to 1948 (see some of these logos from this period in our best Olympic logos roundup).

As long as the pieces were inspired by athletics, you could enter painting, sculpture, architecture, music and literature to be considered for gold, silver and bronze medals. This was inspired by the Ancient Olympic Games, which also saw artists competing alongside athletes. But why was this part of the games abandoned in 1948 – and is there a chance of creativity returning? We could so see a medal for on-the-spot graphic design or 3D modelling.

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Georgia Coggan
Editor

Georgia has worked on Creative Bloq since 2018, and has been the site's Editor since 2022. With a specialism in branding and design, Georgia is also Programme Director of CB's award scheme – the Brand Impact Awards. As well as immersing herself with the industry through attending events like Adobe Max and the D&AD Awards and steering the site's content streams, Georgia has an eye on new commercial opportunities and ensuring they reflect the needs and interests of creatives.