The Olympics and the Politics of Interna

Paris will host the 2024 Summer Olympics, marking the third time the city has held the global sporting festival and the sixth time the Games have taken place in France. This puts us in the perfect place to tackle lively questions about the history and present of sport around the world. Why did sport come to occupy such a prominent position in international culture and politics? What part did sporting practices play in the histories of empire and decolonization? How does sport continue to express social conflicts and shape understandings of class, race, gender, and nation? And what about the athletes, fans, sponsors, governments, and international organizations that keep the industry in motion? From the ideological roots of the Olympic movement among French elites to the burden of hosting as it bears down on the margins of Paris today, we will examine the local and global implications of sport as a cultural practice, political contest, and economic concern. No prior knowledge of sport will be assumed or required—our readings will form a shared basis for critical discussion, whether students consider themselves deep within the world of sport or far outside of it. Planned activities outside of the classroom will allow students to interact with the sporting cultures and practices of Paris.