“Faster, higher, stronger”-and more patriotic: American olympic narratives

Mark Dyreson, Tom Rorke, Adam Berg

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Every four years since 1796 the United States holds a presidential election. Every four years since 1896 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stages an Olympic spectacle, or at least a summertime athletic extravaganza.1 That U.S. election cycles and Olympic quadrennials fall in the same year is purely coincidental. That presidential contenders frequently invoke American Olympians to polish their populist bona fides, illustrate key aspects of their platforms, and bask in the reflected glow of golden triumphalism is no accident. The incorporation of narratives about American Olympians into presidential combat underscores the power of sport in U.S. political discourse.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Routledge History of American Sport
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages361-372
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9781317662501
ISBN (Print)9781138786752
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Arts and Humanities
  • General Social Sciences

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