1. Chapter 1
Introduction

2. Quote 1
Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
– The Olympic Charter (IOC, 2004: 9)

3. Quote 2
The primary aim of the organisers of sports or Olympic competitions is not sport for its own sake but sport for capitalist profit; or rather, their aim is capitalist profit through sport.
Jean-Marie Brohm (1978: 137)

4. The modern Olympic Games
Every 4 years (Olympiad)
Summer Games
10,000 athletes
200 countries
15,000 accredited media
Winter Games
2000 athletes
70 countries

5. The Olympics as an object of study
Research literature
(see
Research centres
Lausanne,
Ontario,
Barcelona,
Sydney,
Loughborough
Journals – eg. Olympika
Courses in universities/PhDs

6. Disciplinary perspectives
History – ancient and modern
Economics – costs, benefits, impacts
Politics – prestige of nation states, ideology
Political economy – politics and economics eg. Marx
Sociology – gender, race, culture, media

7. Paradigms Descriptive/pragmatic research Critical paradigm
Filling gaps in the historical record
Debunking myths
Thematic issues
Critical paradigm
Neo-Marxist
Feminist
Environmental
Communitarian
Ethnic/cultural
Managerialist paradigm
Evaluative – legacy, costs, benefits
Reformist – esp. re International Olympic Committee

8. Olympics: more than a sporting event
A cultural, political and economic event
Promulgation of ‘Olympism’ – a philosophy/ way of life
Olympic ‘values’ vs reality
Ancient and 19th century ‘trappings’
Public ‘ownership’
Promotion of world peace?

9. Structure of the book/course
Introduction
Ancient history
Revival
The Modern Olympic phenomenon
Politics
Economics and finance
Media
Doping
Women
Case-studies
Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Athens, Beijing, London
Future of the Games