The Political Stage of the Olympics

This chapter explores the intersection of sports and politics during the Olympic Games, particularly in the context of post-World War II and the Cold War. It details the challenges of the 1948 London Olympics and examines the ideological tensions between the West and the Soviet bloc, including state-sponsored doping and the impact of geopolitical rivalries. Key events, such as the boycotts of the Moscow and Los Angeles Olympics, and the dramatic moments in competitions like the water polo match between Hungary and the Soviet Union, illustrate how the Games became a platform for political expression and national identity.