The Olympics, a History of the Modern GamesGlories and fiascos, triumphs and tragedies, records and near misses--all are included in this vivid history of the modern Olympics. Using as a backdrop the athletic events that draw television audiences in the billions, Allen Guttmann has written an interpretive social history of the games. What did the founders of the Olympic Games intend them to mean? And what have they, in the course of a century of tumultuous change, become? Guttmann probes the political, economic, social, and even religious significance of the games, presenting the most complete and readable account to date. In the broadest sense, Guttmann argues, politics has always been a part of the Olympics, not an occasional intruder whose presence may take the form of a boycott, protest, or act of terrorism. The book includes lively accounts of individual competitions. An early marathon through the streets of Paris, for example, brought complaints from the U.S. team that the course had been designed to allow French contestants to take shortcuts. Guttmann also provides insight into the behind-the-scenes maneuvering involved in site selection, as well as little-known facts about the general history of the games and about longtime IOC leader Avery Brundage. |
Contents
The Barons Dream | 7 |
Growing Pains and Increasing Success | 21 |
The Games Reach Maturity | 37 |
Copyright | |
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accepted African allowed Amateur American asked Association athletes became become began Berlin boycott British Brundage Brundage's called City Communists compete competition congress contests continued Coubertin countries decided decision defeated demanded East East German Edstrøm elected executive board fact failed federations field five followed four French German gold medals Greek gymnastics held Hitler host important included International Olympic Committee invited IOC member IOC's Japanese Jews jump Killanin later less letter London March meeting meters million National Olympic Committee Nationalists Nazi never NOCs official Olympic Games Olympic movement opening organization participation performances plans political president problem protest question race record refused representatives returned rules runners Russian seemed session South Soviet Union spectators successful summer television took track track-and-field United University victory vote West winter games women York