Sport and Politics

Sport and Politics examines the inter-relationship between politics and the Olympic Games, with a focus on the 1984 Los Angeles Games and a preview of the 1988 Seoul Games. Author Bill Shaiken contends that the perception of the Olympics as a celebration of world peace is hopelessly unrealistic. According to Shaiken, understanding the links between sports and politics allows for a more realistic appraisal of the games and their role in society. In conclusion the book evaluates--and generally rejects--various proposals for Olympic reform, contending that attempts to minimize the political nature of the Olympics are futile because politics are so entrenched in the games at present. Indeed, Shaikin concludes that the Olympics are valuable not in spite of their political nature, but because of it.