Inside the Olympics: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Politics, the Scandals and the Glory of the Games

by Richard W. Pound

"The only man who could have written this book has done it with candor and style. A lucid and penetrating look at the five-ringed world, filled with Dick Pound's customary insight, frankness and wit. Inside the Olympics wins gold, silver and bronze." - John Powers, Boston Globe

Every two years, world attention turns to the Olympic Games for a few short weeks, in a celebration of athletic excellence, competition, and national pride. But in recent years, the Olympic ideal has also been tainted by scandals, greed, and corruption-from bribery, to doing, cheating, politics, and exploitation.

Never shy of the issues, Dick Pound reveals the full inside story-both good and bad-of the Games. An Olympian himself, and long-time IOC insider, Pound sheds a bright light on many controversial events and issues surrounding the Olympics, including the conduct of IOC officials, and the doping scandals that he considers the greatest threat to sports today. He also offers a fascinating look at negotiations in the high-stake worlds of television rights and corporate sponsorships, and at the politics, backstabbing, and intrigues that take place behind the scenes in the world of international sports.

At times damning, at others prescriptive, sometimes amusing, but always honest and insightful, Inside the Olympics gives a rare personal view on the business, the personalities, the ideals, and the organization behind the world's greatest sporting event.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Dustin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is written by an Olympic insider who no doubts has an incredible amount of knowledge about the Games. Unfortunately, this book includes way to many details at times and other times it glosses right over things.

[Cal Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rare look into the opaque International Olympic Committee. Written before the 2004 Games, I enjoyed the recounts of the Salt Lake City bidding and judging scandals, Ben Johnson's 1988 steroid test and the Cold War boycotts. The writing is too academic and dry though without the color that certainly comes with these events.

[Paul Allan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summary of Mr. Pound's involvement with the Olympics. Written like an academic (served as the Chancellor of McGill University), a little to dry for me.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, an interesting look at the Olympics. The only real problem was the author feeling he is so much better than his colleagues.

[VaughanPL]

Click here to find it in the catalogue.