Asterix at the Olympic Games
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| Asterix at the Olympic Games | |
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| French Title: | Asterix aux Jeux Olympiques |
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| Story: | Rene Goscinny |
| Illustrations: | Albert Uderzo |
| French Edition: | 1968 |
| English Translation: | 1972 |
| Preceded by: | Asterix and the Chieftain's Shield |
| Followed by: | Asterix and the Cauldron |
Asterix at the Olympic Games is the 12th comic book album in the Asterix series. Serialized in Pilote issues 434-455 in 1968, the story satirizes performance enhancing drug usage in sports.
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[edit] Plot summary
While out hunting, Asterix and his friend Obelix run across a sports champion of one of the local Roman garrisons named Gluteus Maximus, who is to participate in the Olympic Games. Due to their use of magic potion, they beat the Roman athlete in everything he attempts, temporarily breaking his resolve. Later on, the Gauls decide to participate in the Games as well, under the view that - as part of the Roman world - they are legally Romans. They later arrive in Greece for the games, and are entered in the list of participants, much to the surprise of the Greeks and the consternation of the Romans.
Eventually the Romans file a protest about the magic potion, which is banned by the Olympic officials; this decision would seem to put an end to the Gauls' attempts to win a golden palm (the Romans being much fitter and better trained). However, in an ingenious twist, Asterix and the druid Getafix leak the location of the potion to the Romans, who, in their desire to win, all take the banned substance - which is laced with a dye which turns their tongues blue - and are disqualified, leaving Asterix as the winner by default (though the villagers act as if he won by his own efforts).
After the Gauls' return home, it is revealed that Asterix had given the victor's golden palms to Gluteus Maximus, since the latter had needed it more than him. And for once, Julius Caesar is pleased, and Maximus and his centurion coach are both promoted.
[edit] Notes
- This album is the first where Geriatrix is named and starts his role as a major secondary character (although he is seen in several previous albums).
- This is the first time Fulliautomatix is named since his character & appearance are "finalized" (although he is named in the first album he is otherwise unrecognizable) — he "officially" becomes a major secondary character.
- This is probably the only time an Asterix comic has mentioned anyone's actual age, as it says Geriatrix is 93. However, this is not consistent in all translations—in some he is said to be 80.
- During the efforts of Paris to get the right to host the 1992 Summer Olympics the Bid Committee published a poster where Asterix holds a torch over the Eiffel Tower and a short Asterix Olympics story was created to promote the bid.
- The scene of the banquet is not very big and Cacofonix is not tied up and gagged.
[edit] Film Adaptation
A live action movie of this book has been announced to be released in January/February 2008 (to coincide with the Beijing Olympics).
[edit] In other languages
- German: Asterix bei den Olympischen Spielen
- Italian: Asterix alle Olimpiadi
- Polish: Asteriks na Igrzyskach Olimpijskich
- Portuguese: Astérix nos Jogos Olímpicos
