National Symbols at the Olympic Games

This provocative book makes the case for the complete removal of national symbolism in the Olympic Games. Focusing on the case of national flags at the Olympic Games, it explores the history of national symbols at the Olympics and asks what this issue can tell us about the politicisation of sport in the twenty-first century.

Drawing on multi-disciplinary research from history, political science and sociology, and exploring the link between historical processes and the experiences of individuals, the book attempts to deconstruct the global sport system and its traditions. It argues that the history of flags is essentially the history of nationalism itself, impacted by power interests, and by exploring the lesser-known Olympic histories of athletes such as American boxer Oscar De La Hoya or those from the Faroe Islands, the book explores the complex links between national symbolism and international sport. It concludes with a controversial set of proposals for breaking those links, including a new tradition that would symbolically ‘lock up’ national flags as part of the opening ceremony of Olympic Games.

Thought-provoking and concise, this book is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in the politics, sociology, history or governance of sport, or in nationalism, international organisations or the history of protest.