Book Review: Activism and the Olympics: Dissent at the Games in Vancouver and London

Jules Boykoff’s Activism and the Olympics offers a critical analysis of the Olympic Games in Vancouver and London by examining the intersection of politics and sports. The Olympics always have important political implications for the hosting city. For example, an economic implication that almost invariably characterizes mega-sporting events is the escalation of the final cost beyond initial estimates, and the promise of future economic benefit that in reality never quite materializes. Overall, the book offers a critical overview of the role of the capitalist, corporatist, and political powers involved in the Olympic industry and the grassroots activists who oppose the Olympic machine.