In the late 19th century, a French aristocrat came up with the idea of reviving the sporting contests that took place at Olympia in ancient Greece, and so the modern Olympics were born. The games have gone on to become one of the greatest spectacles on earth, but have never been free of controversy.

Our guest in this episode of the podcast is Jules Boykoff, a political scientist at Pacific University, Oregon (and avowed sports fan), who has spent years investigating the impact of the Olympics on athletes, communities and host cities. Jules tells us, ‘Olympians to show their stuff on the global stage and for us to all stand in admiration. But I wrote What Are the Olympics For? to be a book for the critical, thinking sports fan who cares about sports or is interested in the Olympics, but really wants to see what's going on behind the scenes and understand the full complexity of the Olympics. So in the book, I try to celebrate athletes while at the same time critiquing those who make it more difficult for them to succeed.’

Jules Boykoff is a professor of politics and government at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. His writing on the connection between politics and sport have appeared in the New York Times, the Guardian, the Nation, the Los Angeles Times and New Left Review. He is also a former professional soccer player who represented the US U-23 men’s national team in international competition. Follow him on Twitter: @JulesBoykoff

Find out more about the book at: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/trade/what-are-the-olympics-for

The full transcript of the podcast is available here: https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2024/08/01/podcast-the-olympics-are-political-through-and-through/

Timestamps:

1:31 - When did the Olympics first make an impression on you, and what was that like?

3:08 - What is the contrast between that 8 or 9-year-old you being excited by the Winter Olympics in 1980 and the you who's heading off to Paris?

5:02 - Why does the question of what the Olympics are for matter?

6:54 - How important is it to understand the nature of the IOC?

12:53 - Has politics always been part of sport and the Olympics?

16:18 - Does the Olympics bring genuine, long-lasting benefits for the wider community in the host cities?

19:25 - Would we be going too far to say that the Olympics need cities more than cities need the Olympics?

21:14 - Are things happening that make you feel positive about the possibility of change?

23:59 - Are there ever moments when you just think pulling it off just cannot be done without downsides?

26:44 - Do you see the athletes as being absolutely key to positive changes?

29:29 - What is your favorite piece of Olympic history or trivia or lore?

Intro music:

Cold by yoitrax | @yoitrax

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