UP520: Olympic Provocateur: Michael Payne on Sport Politics, from Dassler to Trump

Olympic marketing pioneer Michael Payne discusses his book Fast Tracks and Dark Deals, exploring how sport became business through the lens of legendary figures like Horst Dassler, Bernie Ecclestone and Mark McCormack. He challenges federations on governance, examines whether the Olympics inhibits innovation, and addresses future issues including AI, implanted technology, and the Enhanced Games debate. Payne reflects on Beijing 2008's legacy, Trump's impact on LA 2028, and warns that political weaponisation threatens sport's ecosystem as profoundly as Cold War boycotts once did.

This episode of the Unofficial Partner podcast is brought to you by Sid Lee Sport.

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