The Olympics – The Basics

Citation

Sadd, D. (2012), "The Olympics – The Basics", International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 335-337. https://doi.org/10.1108/17582951211262738

This book explores and offers insight into established, essential elements of the Olympic Games. It reminds us that the Olympic Games are not just a sporting spectacle, but should be regarded as a cultural festival foremost. It highlights that the operational requirements of the sporting component of the Games, and in particular the perceived elitism of the sports have the potential to over‐shadow the aspirations of the Olympic values. The authors suggest that those who every two years take up the mantel to organise/host an Olympics should read this book as in reality they will rarely get the chance to do so during the frenetic planning stages. Yet, to read this book would help them understand much of the rituals, myths, history and symbolism that is so unique within the Olympic movement. As the book suggests, these are the people whose job it is to inspire and live the Olympic values, so perhaps they could benefit too.

It is written in an easy style that draws the reader in and is divided into eight chapters including; society and identity; culture and education; ethics, politics; management and economics; media; legacy. This is a slightly different format than other recent books that explore the Olympic Games’ such as Gold and Gold (2007), Girginov and Parry (2005) or Toohey and Veal (2007). This book covers many of the same topics, albeit very briefly, yet considering the two authors backgrounds there is a strong focus on the cultural and media elements of the Olympic Games; two areas that don’t always receive extensive focus in academic writing. This is often because the measure of impacts and legacy, representing the success or not of hosting an Olympic Games is often centred on the more measurable outcomes of economic or environmental impacts. The two authors are well known for their research and publications in these areas so this is cutting edge, contemporary commentary, despite the book being part of Routledge's Basics series.

This book is not afraid to mention some of the more contemporary and controversial debates that have arisen within the Olympic movement, but not through any great in‐depth critique that you would read from perhaps Helen Lenskyj (1996, 2000, 2002), Harry Hiller (2006) or Poynter and MacRury (2009). Whilst the marketing literature for the book claims that it explores the controversy and the legacy of the Olympics, it seems to skim over some of the more contentious issues in a light touch fashion. For example, issues around the membership of the IOC, their remits and voting etiquette; activism and protest mainly focused around Beijing 2008; and terrorism and security issues only warrant a few pages, whereas Fussey et al. (2011) have devoted a whole book to the subject.

I found the section that discussed how the founding father of the modern Olympic Games succeeded, where other attempts at a revival of the ancient Olympic Games had failed, particularly interesting. The authors suggest that this was because Coubertin's vision matched the internationalisation movements of the nineteenth century; whereby codified rules were introduced for many sports, yet his aspirations transcended sports to encompass the philosophy of Olympism too. He espoused that it is the training of both body and mind that symbolised human potential. This concept is as relevant nowadays, I believe, with sports psychologists and physiologists working alongside coaches and fitness trainers. Overall the book confidently discusses issues of inclusive vs exclusive and global vs local challenges for the organising committees (OCOG's). Many of the original social, cultural and political values of the Olympic Games still apply today, and the similarities are part of the values and traditions that survive within the movement. However, the differences also highlight changes in society, not least the commercialism that has become a significant by‐product for the Games in recent years.

The focus of the book is the Olympic Games with only a passing reference made to the Paralympic Games and other derivations of the format, which I think is a shame particularly considering the 2012 focus of organising both Games within LOCOG. However, there is an informative chapter focusing on how the Olympic Games have become a defining event on the global stage through which to project notions of national identity and social priorities. This raises issues on whether public expectations and ideas of national identity can ever truly be met with the requirements of the financial stakeholders. The hosting of the Olympic Games can be seen as a turning point in a nation's history, but also it can lead to pockets of resistance. It is how the host nation deals with these disturbances within the organising of the Games that can often define the public's memories of the Games. Recent Games have illustrated that the most powerful expression of national identity is evidenced in the opening ceremony. Another interesting area of investigation is the extent which the Olympic Games are used by the host city to announce itself on the world stage as seen in Barcelona 1992 and Beijing 2008. It is questionable whether London, as host city for the 2012 Games, requires a global stage to assert this. The authors suggest that London with its own strong identity will use the Olympic Games to consolidate their powerful economic position, but to also reassert itself as a centre of cultural excellence through the Cultural Olympiad.

This book is not an academic, in‐depth text, and it doesn’t claim to be, as there are plenty of other sources for both undergraduate and postgraduate scholars to stretch their understanding of the Olympic Games, as already mentioned. However, any student wishing to undertake an in‐depth study of the Olympic Games should read this book first as a precursor to their studies, as it contains rich contextual information to assist with an understanding of the global phenomena that is the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and what the Olympic movement represents. This book is very reasonably priced (£11.99) for a text marketed as a “basics”, and it is compact in size.