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Staging the Olympics: The Event and Its Impact
226 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
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March 11, 2021
What was a book that spoke mostly to the potential implications and results of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games when first published is now mostly a work of history. This is because the majority of articles submitted herein were either borne out or not by the games, or in a wider context become part of a wider historical consideration of the Olympic movement which has and is still undergoing major changes and challenges since 2000.
The contents of the book is generally informative, whether one considers the articles prescient or not, historically valid or perhaps irrelevant, because they go to the mindset of the academics and the broader community during the build up to the Sydney Olympics. For example, in light of the massive changes wrought on security thanks to the events of 9/11 and the rise of Islamic and right win terrorism, the discussion in 'Staging the Games' on how potential threats to the 2000 Olympics may have manifested and been dealt with is surprisingly close to what has since transpired. The article on tourism on the other hand falls down rather badly thanks to the same global terrorism threat that emerged post-2000.
Certain articles in the book have become obsolescent thanks to the changes in the Olympic movement and associated commercial, political, technological and social concerns. For example the chapter on drugs seems woefully behind the times now, and the same may be argued for the article about the media and the Olympics. Of course it is unfair and irrelevant to critique a 22 year old book that was looking forward only a minimum of a year or so; sport and so many aspects of life have evolved dramatically since 1999. So therefore one must approach 'Staging the Olympics' as a reflection of long past contemporary ideas and arguments.
The most favourable aspects of the book include the brevity and clarity of most articles and that they are useful in understanding where those invested in Sydney 2000 were in the led up to the games. Anyone interested in the Olympics of 2000 or Olympism and global sport events in general should find something to enjoy herein. Is it a must-read? Probably not, but 'Staging the games' is a relatively erudite and informative book in a niche subject.
The contents of the book is generally informative, whether one considers the articles prescient or not, historically valid or perhaps irrelevant, because they go to the mindset of the academics and the broader community during the build up to the Sydney Olympics. For example, in light of the massive changes wrought on security thanks to the events of 9/11 and the rise of Islamic and right win terrorism, the discussion in 'Staging the Games' on how potential threats to the 2000 Olympics may have manifested and been dealt with is surprisingly close to what has since transpired. The article on tourism on the other hand falls down rather badly thanks to the same global terrorism threat that emerged post-2000.
Certain articles in the book have become obsolescent thanks to the changes in the Olympic movement and associated commercial, political, technological and social concerns. For example the chapter on drugs seems woefully behind the times now, and the same may be argued for the article about the media and the Olympics. Of course it is unfair and irrelevant to critique a 22 year old book that was looking forward only a minimum of a year or so; sport and so many aspects of life have evolved dramatically since 1999. So therefore one must approach 'Staging the Olympics' as a reflection of long past contemporary ideas and arguments.
The most favourable aspects of the book include the brevity and clarity of most articles and that they are useful in understanding where those invested in Sydney 2000 were in the led up to the games. Anyone interested in the Olympics of 2000 or Olympism and global sport events in general should find something to enjoy herein. Is it a must-read? Probably not, but 'Staging the games' is a relatively erudite and informative book in a niche subject.
Displaying 1 of 1 review