National Symbols At the Olympic Games - An Olympics Without Flags?

This provocative book makes the case for the complete removal of national symbolism in the Olympic Games. Focusing on the case of national flags at the Olympic Games, it explores the history of national symbols at the Olympics and asks what this issue can tell us about the politicisation of sport in the twenty-first century.
Drawing on multi-disciplinary research from history, political science and sociology, and exploring the link between historical processes and the experiences of individuals, the book attempts to deconstruct the global sport system and its traditions. It argues that the history of flags is essentially the history of nationalism itself, impacted by power interests, and by exploring the lesser-known Olympic histories of athletes such as American boxer Oscar De La Hoya or those from the Faroe Islands, the book explores the complex links between national symbolism and international sport. It concludes with a controversial set of proposals for breaking those links, including a new tradition that would symbolically 'lock up' national flags as part of the opening ceremony of Olympic Games.
Thought-provoking and concise, this book is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in the politics, sociology, history or governance of sport, or in nationalism, international organisations or the history of protest.

Sommario

Introduction, 1. Raising the Flag, 2. Internationalism, Flags, and the Olympics, 3. The Paradox Expanded, 4. The Human Factor, 5. Protests, 6. The Great Symbol's Shortcomings, 7. Proposing New Olympic Visions: A Thought Experiment

Info autore

Jörg Krieger is Associate Professor at the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University, Denmark. He also holds a Professor II position at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences. He is a sport historian and leads the International Network for Doping Research, the Sport & Society Research Network, and the Lillehammer Olympic and Paralympic Studies Centre.

Riassunto

This provocative book makes the case for the complete removal of national symbolism in the Olympic Games. Focusing on the case of national flags at the Olympic Games, it explores the history of national symbols at the Olympics and asks what this issue can tell us about the politicisation of sport in the twenty-first century.

Dettagli sul prodotto

• Autori: Jörg Krieger, Jorg (Aarhus University Krieger
• Editore: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Lingue: Inglese
• Formato: Copertina rigida
• Pubblicazione: 19.11.2024
• EAN: 9781032915869
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3291586-9
• Pagine: 126
• Serie: Routledge Focus on Sport, Culture and Society
• Categorie: Guide e manuali > Sport > Tematiche generali, enciclopedie, manuali, annuari, storia; Scienze sociali, diritto, economia > Sociologia > Teorie sociologiche; POLITICAL SCIENCE / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, Society & culture: general, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Industries / Service, SPORTS & RECREATION / History, SPORTS & RECREATION / Olympics & Paralympics, Politics & government, Sociology: sport & leisure, history of sport, Sociology: sport and leisure, Politics and government, Society and culture: general, SPORTS & RECREATION / Cultural & Social Aspects, Hospitality and service industries, Service industries, Olympic & Paralympic games, Olympic and Paralympic games