From Battlefields to Sports Fields: The Inter-Allied Games as an Olympic Level Event after the First World War (June 22-July 6, 1919)

Abstract

Held from June 22 to July 6, 1919 in Paris, the Inter-Allied Games were a multi-sport event with a special place in the history of international sport. Organized by the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) shortly after the end of the First World War, this event between the Allied Powers aimed to promote friendship and solidarity among military personnel of different victorious nations. The Inter-Allied Games, which had a similar structure to the Olympic Games, organized competitions in many sports such as athletics, swimming, boxing, football, tennis, wrestling, shooting and horse riding. Beyond military competition, the event was organized to send a message of peace and brotherhood after the destruction and losses brought by the war. By emphasizing the unifying power of sports, the Inter-Allied Games demonstrated the importance of international friendship and cooperation in the post-war period. This article explores the origins, organization and impact of the Inter-Allied Games, analyzing its significance in the context of post-war reconstruction, international relations and the evolution of global sporting competitions.

Keywords

• Inter-Allied Games
• YMCA
• AEF
• Elwood Stanley Brown
• General Pershing
• Olympics.

SAVAŞ ALANLARINDAN SPOR SAHALARINA BİRİNCİ DÜNYA SAVAŞI SONRASI ULUSLARARASI BİR ETKİNLİK OLARAK MÜTTEFİKLER ARASI OYUNLAR (22 HAZİRAN-6 TEMMUZ 1919)

Abstract

22 Haziran – 6 Temmuz 1919 tarihlerinde Paris'te düzenlenen Müttefikler Arası Oyunlar, uluslararası spor tarihinde özel bir yere sahip olan çok sporlu bir etkinliktir. Birinci Dünya Savaşı'nın sona ermesinden kısa bir süre sonra Amerikan Seferi Kuvvetleri (AEF) ve Genç Erkekler Hıristiyan Cemiyeti (YMCA) tarafından organize edilen ve İtilaf Devletleri arasında düzenlenen bu etkinlik, galip gelen farklı milletlere mensup askeri personel arasında dostluk ve dayanışmayı teşvik etmeyi amaçlamıştır. Olimpiyat Oyunları'na benzer bir yapıya sahip olan Müttefikler Arası Oyunlar, atletizm, yüzme, boks, futbol, tenis, güreş, atıcılık, binicilik gibi birçok spor dalında yarışmalar düzenlemiştir. Etkinlik, askeri rekabetin ötesinde, savaşın getirdiği yıkım ve kayıpların ardından barış ve kardeşlik mesajı vermek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Müttefikler Arası Oyunlar, sporun birleştirici gücünü vurgulayarak, savaş sonrası dönemde uluslararası dostluğun ve iş birliğinin önemini ortaya koymuştur. Bu makale, Müttefikler Arası Oyunların kökenlerini, organizasyonunu ve etkisini araştırarak, savaş sonrası yeniden yapılanma, uluslararası ilişkiler ve küresel spor müsabakalarının evrimi bağlamında önemini analiz etmektedir.

Keywords

• Müttefikler Arası Oyunlar
• YMCA
• AEF
• Elwood Stanley Brown
• General Pershing
• Olimpiyatlar.

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