From the New York Times Magazine, a special issue on the Olympics. The ideology of the Olympics: Robert L. Kehoe reviews Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics by Jules Boykoff and The Games: A Global History of the Olympics by David Goldblatt. Is the IOC’s protection of the Olympic brand over the top? The worst predictions about Rio haven’t come true — that tells us a few things about Brazil and the media. Fiji’s rugby team could be the best story of the Rio Olympics. Rooting for your own country in the Olympics is for losers and suckers. Laurel Raymond on the fun, inescapable (and kind of worrisome) psychology of “U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!” Most nations going to the Olympics won’t bring home a medal — here’s why they compete anyway. The introduction to Success and Failure of Countries at the Olympic Games by Danyel Reiche.
What are the worst Olympic sports? Walt Hickey investigates. Clean athletes, and Olympic glory lost in the doping era. Ian Johnson on the new face of Olympic doping. The drugs won: Patrick Hruby on the case for ending the sports war on doping. What does it really mean to be an Olympic alternate? Tim Struby explores the hidden lives of the greatest athletes who might never compete for their country. Jordan Sargent on how a bronze medal is better than silver.
Donald McRae on on the return of Caster Semenya: Olympic favourite and ticking timebomb. The humiliating practice of sex-testing female athletes: For years, international sports organizations have been policing women for “masculine” qualities and turning their Olympic dreams into nightmares — but when Dutee Chand appealed her ban, she may have changed the rules. The media’s Olympics coverage reminds us just how taxing it is to be a female athlete. Allison Stokke is the most popular pole vaulter in the world, and I wish that weren’t so depressing.
The Tumbler Tumblr: Eslpeth Reeve on how hard-core gymnastics fans are revolutionizing the way the sport is covered. The last perfect gymnast: Sarah Marshall reviews The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics’ Top Score — from Nadia to Now by Dvora Meyers. Lindsay Gibbs on America’s painful journey from prejudice to greatness in women’s gymnastics.
