The “challenge of modernity” and the Chinese marcial arts: an analysis on the inclusion of Wushu in the Olympic Games

Abstract

The “challenge of modernity” and the Chinese martial arts: an analysis on the inclusion of Wushu in the Olympic Games Chinese martial arts (Kung Fu or Wushu) are probably one of the most popular cultural practices that crossed the borders of China. According to the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) there are national associations in most countries of all continents, configuring 146 member associations. Moreover, the IWUF is responsible for the claim of Wushu as an Olympic sport. Thus, the aim of this article is to analyze the dynamic relationship between tradition and modernity in some of the arguments for the inclusion of Wushu at the 2008 Olympic Games. Therefore, an analysis was made from the perspective of the Cultural Studies on the video submitted to the International Olympic Committee in 2002 for the pledge of Wushu at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. The analysis was based on a “Theory of Reception”, mainly present in the works of Stuart Hall, who consider the “centrality” cultural issues as well as the power relations involved in its discursive construction. The results were presented taking into account three aspects: the representations about China, the representations of Wushu and the approach of Wushu with the Western model to consider body practices. Thereby, it was observed that the possible tensions between “traditional” and “modern” does not seem to reach a contradiction in the video IWUF. European concepts of the sport plus the “New Culture Movement” possibly invented a new tradition for the martial arts, but this tradition has operated not only in support of certain elites and the concept of nation, but also as an affirmative position and strength before the colonization process carried out by foreign powers.