Inside the Olympics: A Behind-The-Scenes Look at the Politics, the Scandals, and the Glory of the Games

by Richard W. Pound

A candid look at how the Olympic rings got so tarnished-from a top IOC insider
Bribery, illicit drugs, tainted judges, dirty politics . . . the Olympics have come a long way from ancient Greece. Far from the vaunted symbol of athletic excellence, the Olympic games have become awash in scandal (from doping and judging scandals, questionable selection practices for future sites) that have given it a tawdry luster only cynics and news junkies would relish. Now, Dick Pound, a former Olympic medalist and twenty-five year member of the IOC gives an insider's account of the politics within the IOC as well as an unsensationalistic look at what went on behind the headlines. As controversial as the games themselves have become, Inside the Olympics is a fascinating, no-holds-barred look at just how the Olympics and their legacy have foundered.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Dustin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written by an Olympic insider who no doubts has an incredible amount of knowledge about the Games. Unfortunately, this book includes way to many details at times and other times it glosses right over things.

[Cal Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rare look into the opaque International Olympic Committee. Written before the 2004 Games, I enjoyed the recounts of the Salt Lake City bidding and judging scandals, Ben Johnson's 1988 steroid test and the Cold War boycotts. The writing is too academic and dry though without the color that certainly comes with these events.

[Paul Allan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summary of Mr. Pound's involvement with the Olympics. Written like an academic (served as the Chancellor of McGill University), a little to dry for me.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, an interesting look at the Olympics. The only real problem was the author feeling he is so much better than his colleagues.

[VaughanPL]

Click here to find it in the catalogue.