LAUSANNE, March 29, 2018 - For the first time inOlympic history, Olympians who are also artists were invited to the OlympicWinter Games PyeongChang 2018 to be part of the Olympic Art project, aninitiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Olympians used theirtalents to share a different view on the Games through the film OlympicDreams and a one-of-a-kind painting.
Greek-American long-distance athlete AlexiPappas (Rio 2016), British javelin thrower Roald Bradstock (Los Angeles 1984and Seoul 1988), American biathlete Lanny Barnes (Turin 2006) and Swiss fencerJean-Blaise Evequoz (bronze medallist at Munich 1976) are the four “Olympianartists” who shared their creative spirit and craft in PyeongChang through twodifferent projects: a short film, Olympic Dreams, and a collectivepainting revealing the Olympic values.
The film Olympic Dreams is apoetic exploration of the Olympic values through narrative film, blendingfiction with reality to open a unique window into the Games that has never beenseen before. Starring Rio 2016 Olympian Alexi Pappas, American actor Nick Krolland athletes who participated in the PyeongChang Games, and directed by JeremyTeicher, this fictional storyline revolves around a young cross-country skier,Penelope (played by Alexi), and a volunteer in the Olympic Village, Ezra(played by Nick), who cross paths and form an unlikely relationship.
Shot within Olympic venues in only twoweeks, Olympic Dreams is one of the only films to featureOlympic athletes in competition. From gold medallists to the first-everskeleton athlete from Jamaica and one of the youngest medallists of the Games,Olympians show in this series of five episodes what it feels like to chase anOlympic dream. Alexi Pappas said: “This project was made possibleby the incredible Olympians who took part.”
“Olympic Dreams is about all athletes,especially those who don't win medals, and all the people who make the Gameshappen, including the volunteers,” said Jeremy Teicher.
To watch Olympic Dreams,visit: https://www.olympic.org/olympic-art-project/olympic-dreams
The other art initiative of the “Olympic ArtProject” was organised by Olympians for Olympians, created with athletescompeting in PyeongChang and shown in the Gangneung Olympic Village during theOlympic Winter Games 2018. Olympic athletes using a brush and paintcollectively produced 15 paintings, at the rate of one per day, each individualpainting representing one of the 15 Olympic winter disciplines. When combined,the paintings became one painting revealing the Olympic values which are at theheart of this initiative.
This workshop was led by three Olympians frompast Games: Roald Bradstock (GBR), Lanny Barnes (USA) and Jean-Blaise Evequoz (SUI). Over thecourse of the PyeongChang Games, they welcomed 111 Olympians from 39 countrieswho left their marks on a unique painting. “It was a continuous flow ofincredible moments for 17 days, seeing all the athletes laughing and having funpainting during one of if not THE most stressful times of their young lives,”explained Roald Bradstock.
He continued: “But there was one moment thatstood out from all the rest: One day, one man came into the studio. He lookedat all the canvases and the athletes painting and said ‘Ah....Olympicvalues!’ Lanny and l looked at each other and both smiled - if thatdoesn't say it all…”
To discover the paintings and the making ofthem, visit https://www.olympic.org/olympic-art-project/art-at-the-village
The Olympic Art project is an initiative thatwas set up in the framework of Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap forthe future of the Olympic Movement, which aims to “further strengthenthe blending of sport and culture at the Olympic Games and in-between”.
The artists celebrated the spirit of Olympismthrough art with a wider audience via the hashtag #OlympicArt.
To find out more about the programme,visit: https://www.olympic.org/olympic-art-project.
