Watching the Olympic Games, it may often feel like they are as much about pomp and ceremony as they are about sports. The International Olymic Committee (IOC) has a long list of protocols that need to take place during opening and closing ceremonies, the playing of the Olympic and National Anthems and lighting of the flame, for example; and medal ceremonies have similar requirements. Looking at the Games of the 21st century, it becomes clear that many of these traditions have their origins in the birth of the modern Games in 1896 Europe, a context of chivalrous ideals marred by racist notions of superiority; while other traditions can be traced further back to the original games in Ancient Greece, where religion and ritual were key components of the celebrations.

In 1992, a previously-abandoned tradition of the Games was revived, at least in theory: the Olympic Truce.…