The archaeologist said that thanks to French educator Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894, the core values of the ancient Olympic Games, after a 1,500-year hiatus, were revived and modernized as the first modern Games were held in Athens in 1896.
Westra said that both the ancient Games and their modern equivalent, which are no longer religious and far larger in scale and more inclusive, are fundamentally about humans honoring something greater than themselves.
"The ideals of virtue, excellence, and self-improvement remain central. The Olympic spirit transcends mere athletic competition," he said.
"It celebrates humanity's potential, cultural unity, and shared aspirations, inspiring generations to embody values of fairness, excellence, and universal cooperation."
Westra also commended China's increasing engagement with Greek civilization. The scholar, who played an active role in helping establish the Chinese School of Classical Studies at Athens last year, told the China Daily website that the school's founding marks a historic moment in civilizational dialogues and shows China's commitment to the international scholarship of ancient Greece.
Hou Ming, director of the Beijing Olympic Museum, emphasized in his speech that this exhibition strengthens and stimulates the traditional Sino-Hellenic friendship with passion, showing how the Olympic spirit once again unites the two countries.
Running until July 13 at the museum, the exhibition will travel to various Chinese campuses to help more young people connect with Olympic history, according to the organizers.
