Kalokagathia is a Greek word made up of two words - kalos - beautiful, agathos - benign. In Ancient Greece Kalokagathia stood for an ideal nurture concept that featured harmonious development of outward merits and inner world based on spiritual and moral principles.
Contemporary scientific studies evidence:
First, benign, justice, faith and mercifulness are as material as the physical body is.
Second, awareness of Beauty is a subconscious reflection of optimal human adaptation to the environment.
Third, the basics of Beauty hold true for all spheres of life.
It has become clear that Beauty is an organic whole and awareness of the physical body's esthetics reflects certain aspects of human physical or real social being. Moral principles reflect supernatural, aerial aspects also shared by man.
Beautiful physical body perception as well as moral principles perception is determined by range of frequencies they radiate. Ancient sages seemed to Know This. That's why requirements set by them for ideal nurture programs included harmonious development of the esthetical physical body, benign and justice. This knowledge was reflected through Kalokagathia and left for humankind.
Why haven't they left a detailed guidance on this knowledge? It makes us think and causes speculations. Anyway, the result is rather poor. Sports as the major factor for the youth upbringing at the world level, is deprived of its destination defined by Ancient Greek sages in Kalokagathia. Sports is no longer suggestive of personal advancement, it's about beating an opponent or a team at all costs. National team victory unites the whole nation but, at the same time, it brings nations apart.
Very few people think that at the Olympics, the world's principle athletic forum, athletes must be esthetically and harmoniously developed. To the contrary, precontest preparations aim to enhance physical capacity so as to win, set a record, surprise and startle the world. Only victory is praised and records are rewarded. For the sake of victory and records athletes take to all means, even those that are harmful, for example dopes.
We know for sure that this must be ruled out. Harmony does not expect other people's unhappiness or poor health. But this is how things are, much to our regret.
Luckily, an innovative scientific experience made it possible to revive Kalokagathia concept.
1998 was highlighted by the revival of Kalokagathia concept, which happened in the context of the 3^rd St. Petersburg Fitness Marathon - 100 years after the Olympic Games had been revived.
Olympic Games stemmed from philosophical ideas of Kalokagathia. The official ceremony of the revival was blessed by the Athens delegation that participated in the 2^nd fitness marathon held in1997.
From now on there will be neither rivalry nor winners announced at the contests, festivals and competitions held according to Kalokagathia concept.
Victory is dual: it brings joy to winners and unhappiness to losers. Kalokagathia does not expect making people miserable or unhappy regardless of scope and circumstances.
But it does not mean that Kalokagathia events are no longer sport competitions. No doubt they are, but the focus is on self - advancement. This sport's slogan is <<Win through cognizing yourself>>.
Because every man is unique, there will be no rivalry between teams or individuals. People live under different social conditions that can be favorable or unfavorable, which affects self-advancement and winning attitude.
Well, as to victory, it might result in selfishness and superiority. Both are interpreted by all world religions as vicious feelings separating people.
For Ancient Greeks Harmony meant unity. That's why at the Kalokagathia competitions the major goal is personal advancement. <<Beating others is meaningless - beating oneself is a true value>>. This is every participant's motto. Participants at Kalokagathia competitions are not rivals or opponents. They are assistants helping each other overcome weak points and offering support in crucial moments. So far as competition is concerned, they are all brothers and sisters on the path to Perfection.