This multidisciplinary text is a comprehensive introduction to the central themes and background of the modern Games.

The text considers a range of topics including:

• the ancient Olympics


• the modern revival of the nineteenth century


• the development of the Games throughout the twentieth century.


• the media and the Olympics


• Olympic marketing and sponsorship.

Complemented by a dedicated website offering access to unique archive and other document sources, this book brings its audience the best Olympic educational expertise available.