A very timely book, considering the current Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics,
which I read in July 2021.

The writer, Jules Boykoff, now a professor, is by no means anti-sport. He was
a former US Olympic team member. However, he shows how the Olympics
has steadily developed into the 'juggernaut' it is now.

Key to the development were powerful key figures starting with Pierre de Coubertin,
who was the founder of the revival of the Olympics from their roots in Ancient Greece
and whose aristocratic status was typical of many who were involved in the early days
and until now, to some extent.

Then, the American, Avery Brundage, President of the International Olympic Committee
for twenty years. He was described by David Miller, in 'The Official History of the
Olympic Games' as, "despotic, a moral bulldozer, fanatical defender of de Coubertin's
legacy." As head of the American Olympics Committee at the time of the 1936 Berlin
Olympics, he had controversially rejected evidence of persecution of Jews by the Nazis.
A later I.O.C. President, Juan Samaranch, was controversial, too, with his support for
the Spanish Fascist leader, General Franco.

Although both de Coubertin and Brundage strongly supported the amateur ideal, after
their time, professionalism developed and with escalating costs for the Olympics, the
increasing role of sponsorship, especially from the 1996 Atlanta Games onwards.

In spite of the the huge costs involved in holding the Olympics and the debt that cities
are saddled with, cities have continued to compete to hold them, leading to bribery
and corruption. That was particularly an issue at the 2002 Winter Olympics in
Salt Lake City, with 'gifts' including college scholarships and even a $524 dollars'
violin! Apart from costs, there have been a succession of 'challenges', both positive
and negative, particularly concerning various kinds of protests. Local people, particularly
the poor, have often suffered as city funds were diverted to pay for the Games and housing
and other facilities were removed to make way for them. That was particularly the issue
at the 2016 Rio Games. Protests against the games have often been suppressed, again
particularly at Rio and now in Tokyo. Other key protests have been by Tommie Smith
and John Carlos, at the 1968 Mexico Games, challenging racism as well as Taiwanese
athletes protesting at the 1960 Rome Olympics, as Taiwan's involvement was increasingly
challenged by China's developing role in the Games.

The book is also interesting in showing how the elements of the Olympics have built up
over time, including the torch relay which was instituted at the 1936 Berlin Games.

The question is: How long can the Olympics continue in their present form? In particular,
the overlarge size and scale, termed 'gigantism'? Boykoff, the writer, has been involved
in suggestions on reform, but vested interests appear to stand in the way.

See the previous book which I wrote about.

Back to the start.