Full Description
The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics will be the biggest single sporting event in the UK in our lifetimes. The memories of that summer of sport will remain with us forever, but what did those four weeks tell us about ourselves, our society's values and its possibilities? This collection of critical reflections is not anti-Olympics nor against sport. The writers instead imaginatively address the reality of the Games' impact, question what the ceremonies and Team GB represented, and deconstruct the organisers' claims of economic regeneration and boosting participation. This an essential and exciting read for all who understand and appreciate that London 2012 meant something, but are unsure what. Contributors include world-class experts in Olympism, writers and journalists who reported on and were inspired by the Games, social and cultural critics, sports policy consultants and sport campaigners.
Contents
Introduction 1. How Was it For Us?: Keynote Essay Mark Perryman, The Good, The Bad and the Orbit 2. London 2012 Snapshot Billy Bragg, The Wonder Stuff 3. Representing London and Olympism Alan Tomlinson, The Best Games Never Eliane Glaser, Fraud of the Rings Bob Gilbert, Park Life 2012 4. London 2012 Snapshot Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Wearing Team GB's Colours 5. The Power and Promise of the Games Ben Carrington, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Black Andrew Simms, The Happiness Olympics Kate Hughes, Sofa, Not so Good 6. London 2012 Snapshot Mark Steel, Dressage for the Masses 7. The Politics of Olympic Sport Zoe Williams, The Wiggo Effect David Renton, The Meaning of Mo David Howe, Blades, Runners and Riders 8. London 2012 Snapshot Suzanne Moore, A Utopian Moment of Beauty and Becoming 9. Sport after 2012 Barbara Bell, From Gold Medals to Grassroots Gareth Edwards, We Have Nothing To Lose but Our Medals Anne Coddington, The Gender Games 10. Afterword Gavin Poynter, A Postcard from Rio 2016 11. London 2012 Reading and Resources
