Top US sports journalist Jon Wertheim joins the team to discuss the relevance of the Olympics in modern times. They explore the impact of past Olympic Games, the evolution of sports, and the commercialization of sporting events. The conversation reflects on historical events like the 1984 Olympics and the challenges faced by track and field sports. They also debate the importance of Olympic medals versus major tournaments in today's sports culture.
Olympic hosting norms shifting towards cost-effective structures with cities like Paris emphasizing iconic locations for visual spectacle.
Declining Olympics ratings in the US due to evolving media habits and lack of athlete mystique from increased accessibility.
Divergent athlete attitudes on Olympics' significance, with sports like tennis and cycling prioritizing other events over Olympic achievements.
Athletes prioritizing major titles over Olympic gold medals, leading to debates on the Olympics' long-term relevance and challenges in maintaining global interest.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Olympic Games Hosting: Los Angeles 1984 vs Paris 2024
Los Angeles in 1984 and Paris in 2024 present contrasts in Olympic hosting strategies. Los Angeles leveraged existing facilities without major venue constructions, maintaining a fiscally responsible model. In comparison, Paris showcases a 'city as a star' approach, utilizing iconic locations like Champs-Elysées to offer a visually captivating spectacle. The discussion points to a potential shift in Olympic hosting norms towards cost-effective structures, with rising interest expressed by Middle Eastern countries like Riyadh aiming to redefine national images through extravagant sport events.
Declining Olympic Games Ratings: The Impact of Technology and Athlete Visibility
Olympic Games ratings, notably in the US, exhibit a downward trend attributed to evolving media consumption habits. The transition to streaming platforms challenges traditional TV viewership models. Furthermore, a reduced sense of athlete mystique and intrigue from heightened accessibility and familiarity contribute to waning viewer engagement. The overlapping of annual world championships with the Olympics diminishes the latter's scarcity appeal, impacting its perceived value and viewership.
The Dynamics of Athletes' Perception Towards the Olympics
Debates on the significance of the Olympic Games in modern sports highlight divergent athlete attitudes across different disciplines. While the importance of Olympics remains prominent in sports like swimming and track and field, other high-profile sports, such as tennis and cycling, prioritize events like Wimbledon over Olympic achievements. The evolving view on Olympics' relevance underscores the shift in athletes' prioritization and audience perceptions within the sporting landscape.
Views on the Importance of Olympic Achievements
Athletes across various sports predominantly value major titles over Olympic gold medals, considering winning a major singles title far superior. The perception of an Olympic gold medal varies, with many top players opting out of Olympic participation due to conflicting schedules or lower significance attributed to the event. While some athletes appreciate the honor associated with the Olympics, the majority prioritize major events and view the Olympics as just another competition in their schedules.
Future Relevance of the Olympics and Analysis of Unique Sports
There is a debate on the declining relevance of the Olympics over time, with concerns raised about its long-term future. The addition of sports like skateboarding and breakdancing to attract more interest hints at a struggle to maintain relevance. Despite challenges, major Olympic sports like track and field, swimming, and gymnastics benefit from the Olympics to gain prominence and recognition, showcasing a symbiotic relationship between the Games and sporting disciplines.
Excitement for Paris 2024 Olympics
Anticipation surrounds the Paris 2024 Olympics seen as a rebound year. Expectations revolve around the event's comeback, with Paris set to shine in providing a remarkable experience. Special attention is drawn to unique sports like team handball and weightlifting for their captivating moments. Despite changing media consumption, the allure and significance of Olympic achievements continue to captivate audiences, hinting at the Games' enduring global impact.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Olympic Movement
The adverse effects of COVID-19 have impacted the Olympic movement, leading to turbulent times since 2012. Despite facing challenges, the Olympic Games strive for a sense of normalcy and are viewed as a crucial global quadrennial event. Efforts to sustain relevance and adapt to evolving media consumption patterns characterize the current Olympic landscape, illustrating a shift in focus and strategies to maintain the Games' status and appeal.
How relevant are the Olympic Games in the modern era and can they stand the test of time? Join Ross and Mike, along with top US sports journalist and author Jon Wertheim, as they look back on the lessons learnt in history, the economics, the legacy and the potential future of the Games. Wertheim is executive editor and senior writer for Sports Illustrated US, focussing on the tennis beat, sports business and social issues, and enterprise journalism.
In addition to his work at SI, he is a correspondent for "60 Minutes" and a commentator for The Tennis Channel. He has authored 11 books and has been honoured with two Emmys, numerous writing and investigative journalism awards, and the Eugene Scott Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Wertheim is a longtime member of the New York Bar Association (retired), the International Tennis Writers Association and the Writers Guild of America. He has a bachelor's in history from Yale University and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He resides in New York City.
