Why the Olympics Aren't Good for Us, and How They Can Be
“Perryman’s captivating examination of the Olympics is that rare sports book which aims to give us hope and succeeds brilliantly.”
—VICE.com“This timely, highly readable book... offers a well-rounded critique of the Olympics and provides a constructive vision for reimagining Olympism.”
—Jules Boykoffabout the bookabout
While the Olympics are often hailed as a boon for host cities and nations—promising shiny new facilities, a tourism boost, and a surge in sports participation—Perryman questions these rosy claims. Mainstream politics and media may champion the supposed benefits, but outside the capital’s commentariat, enthusiasm for the Games is less uniform.
Economists debate whether the Games deliver on the promise of economic regeneration, sports coaches question the link between Gold medal successes and increased participation in sport, and tourism reports suggest that previous host cities have experienced an overall fall in visitors and their spending during Olympic years.
In this concise, gripping book, Perryman raises major questions about the founding myths of the Games. But rather than condemning them, he offers an exciting plan to revitalize the Olympics. With a deep passion for the Games, evidenced by his collection of medal-winner sticker albums, Perryman isn't here to bury the Olympics—he wants to reinvent them.
His innovative ideas include: expanding the Games across multiple cities or countries; utilizing existing stadiums with larger capacities; incorporating more events outside traditional venues, such as road and open water races; focusing on sports with broad international participation; and shifting the emphasis from corporate sponsorship to community involvement.
Perryman's vision for a "People’s Games" could transform the Olympics into a genuinely popular and inclusive event. Why The Olympics Aren’t Good For Us is set to spark lively discussion, offering a fresh perspective in a summer where sport will be as impossible to miss as the muscular commerce and timid politics serving it up.
“It’s clear that the IOC's model doesn't work, even on its own terms. But as enthusiast Mark Perryman says in his new book on the Olympics, they don’t have to be like this. Five key reforms would transform the Games, he argues, cut their cost and make the Olympic ideal more of a reality, in place of the tightly controlled corporate ‘mega event’ of the next few weeks.”
—Seumas Milne, The Guardian
About The Author / Editor
Mark Perryman is the author of Ingerland: Travels with a Football Nation and the editor of Breaking up Britain : Four Nations after a Union. He has written for a range of publications, including the Guardian and The Times, and is a regular commentator on the politics of sport for BBC Radio 5, BBC TV News and Sky Sports News. He is a Research Fellow in Sport and Leisure Culture at the University of Brighton and the co-founder of Philosophy Football.
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Why the Olympics Aren't Good for Us, and How They Can Be
“Perryman’s captivating examination of the Olympics is that rare sports book which aims to give us hope and succeeds brilliantly.”
—VICE.com“This timely, highly readable book... offers a well-rounded critique of the Olympics and provides a constructive vision for reimagining Olympism.”
—Jules Boykoffabout the bookabout
While the Olympics are often hailed as a boon for host cities and nations—promising shiny new facilities, a tourism boost, and a surge in sports participation—Perryman questions these rosy claims. Mainstream politics and media may champion the supposed benefits, but outside the capital’s commentariat, enthusiasm for the Games is less uniform.
Economists debate whether the Games deliver on the promise of economic regeneration, sports coaches question the link between Gold medal successes and increased participation in sport, and tourism reports suggest that previous host cities have experienced an overall fall in visitors and their spending during Olympic years.
In this concise, gripping book, Perryman raises major questions about the founding myths of the Games. But rather than condemning them, he offers an exciting plan to revitalize the Olympics. With a deep passion for the Games, evidenced by his collection of medal-winner sticker albums, Perryman isn't here to bury the Olympics—he wants to reinvent them.
His innovative ideas include: expanding the Games across multiple cities or countries; utilizing existing stadiums with larger capacities; incorporating more events outside traditional venues, such as road and open water races; focusing on sports with broad international participation; and shifting the emphasis from corporate sponsorship to community involvement.
Perryman's vision for a "People’s Games" could transform the Olympics into a genuinely popular and inclusive event. Why The Olympics Aren’t Good For Us is set to spark lively discussion, offering a fresh perspective in a summer where sport will be as impossible to miss as the muscular commerce and timid politics serving it up.
“It’s clear that the IOC's model doesn't work, even on its own terms. But as enthusiast Mark Perryman says in his new book on the Olympics, they don’t have to be like this. Five key reforms would transform the Games, he argues, cut their cost and make the Olympic ideal more of a reality, in place of the tightly controlled corporate ‘mega event’ of the next few weeks.”
—Seumas Milne, The Guardian
About The Author / Editor
Mark Perryman is the author of Ingerland: Travels with a Football Nation and the editor of Breaking up Britain : Four Nations after a Union. He has written for a range of publications, including the Guardian and The Times, and is a regular commentator on the politics of sport for BBC Radio 5, BBC TV News and Sky Sports News. He is a Research Fellow in Sport and Leisure Culture at the University of Brighton and the co-founder of Philosophy Football.