Talk:Colonialism and the Olympic Games

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This is well written but really one sided. These are also some of the few North American Olympics to make a deliberate effort to acknowledge and represent indigenous peoples (even if done so problematically). Currently there is a critiquing of presence but not absence, and a lack of balance. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 142.177.232.89 (talk) 00:19, 24 May 2016 (UTC)

Colonialism Part from the Controversies section...

I am concerned that this section of the Olympic Games subject will turn into an "edit war." Why is Canada mostly implicated here? What about Australia? What about China? The former USSR? Russia today? Brazil? Mexico? Japan? The UK? USA? France? Germany? Italy? Norway? Sweden? Spain? Even Greece was a colonial power way back then, during their Ancient Olympic Games run. Rockies77 (talk) 05:55, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

This is a reasonable section to have but (a) it needs to be more than Canada-focused, and (b) it should probably be summarized on the main page and have a fuller treatment at Olympic Games scandals and controversies. A worthy topic, but one not meriting this depth on the top level article. SFB 14:16, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

I agree completely. I had toyed with the idea of simply reverting, but I didn't want to discourage coverage of an interesting topic. Rivertorch (talk) 16:30, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

Thanks for your thoughtful feedback. I absolutely agree that there are colonial connections for many, if not all, of the other Games and their host countries. My goal was to give thorough and detailed information on the connections between colonialism and the Olympics. In order to do that, I needed to focus the scope of my research (I spent 2.5 months and read dozens of sources just for these four host cities!). I do think that four examples is enough (and maybe just the right amount) to justify the inclusion on the main page, and have attempted to only include information that speaks to how coloniality is structurally (not accidentally) connected to the Olympics. I also wanted to start the section, so that others can add information about other host cities and connections to colonialism. Thanks again for the discussion. Please excuse any "talk" missteps as this is my first talk post.--Slutswool (talk) 20:07, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

Another thought in response to the suggestion to move it to "scandals and controversies" – I did consider this but though some of the individual events that I have described could be considered "scandals or controversies" together they illustrate a structural connection between the Olympics and colonialism. According to my research, they weren't isolated coincidental controversies, and in fact many of these events were not considered scandals but just business as usual. So, arguably, this article could be in its own section on the Olympic Games page, not filed under controversies—but I felt that might be a bit bold and presumptuous for a new editor!--Slutswool (talk) 20:23, 7 April 2014 (UTC)

Would "2.5 months" of research and a detailed focus on one country make this WP:OR? 90.246.95.136 (talk) 07:31, 27 April 2014 (UTC)

No, that is a misinterpretation of the guideline. Original research is either facts given with no reliable references (not the case here), or a synthesis of material advancing a view point not supported by citations (also not the case here). This kind of research is actually one of the things that makes Wikipedia great – we can bring together sources to explore topics in a depth not reached elsewhere. That's what Slutswool has done here, which is to be applauded. The issue here is better described at Wikipedia:Summary style, rather than OR. SFB 09:12, 27 April 2014 (UTC)

It was the focus on a single country (Canada) which most concerned me- this, however inadvertently, gives the impression that Canada is particularly guilty. 92.41.103.185 (talk) 16:46, 29 April 2014 (UTC)

This subsection should be summarized to a length that is more in proportion with the other subsections in the Controversies section and split into a new article. See Wikipedia:Splitting. As for neutrality, there is an issue with over-reliance on a single source (and point of view) for most of the post-1904 material.--SaskatchewanSenator (talk) 01:25, 25 July 2014 (UTC)

I would support this idea. The controversies section should get its own distinct article. Besides, the overall subject of the Olympic Games looks like it needs some paring down, even though this Wikipedia entry is shown as a featured article. Rockies77 (talk) 07:05, 2 November 2014 (UTC)

Sources

Christine O'Bonsawin (2008) is cited several times in this article, particularly in the Controversies subsection "The Olympic Games as a colonial force and recommendations". However, no O'Bonsawin (2008) appears in the Sources at the bottom of the page, only O'Bonsawin (2012) and O'Bonsawin (2010). Of course this is problematic. Can whoever cited O'Bansawin (2008) add this to the list of sources please? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.193.136.164 (talk) 17:48, 30 August 2014 (UTC)

I'll guess it is from the same 1904 Anthropology Days anthology that appears several times in the Sources section. Slutswool (talk · contribs · email) added this material and could confirm.--SaskatchewanSenator (talk) 22:32, 10 September 2014 (UTC)

Heavy POV

It is mostly a nonsensical article. What does promoting less developed, savage cultures during e.g. ceremonies celebrating civilization achievement of Man have to do with colonialism? The Montreal Games example is particularly egregious - the poor organizers tried their best to be PC by showcasing the Indian etc. nations and you criticize them?

I may be missing something basic in your train of thought. Zezen (talk) 17:21, 20 August 2016 (UTC)

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Deleted references

I have just deleted the following unused references. Most were blanket copy-pasted in 2015 from the Olympic Games article by @SaskatchewanSenator:, who I am sure knows better by now.

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• Buchanon, Ian; Mallon, Bill (2006). Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-5574-8. Retrieved 20 March 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Burkert, Walter (1983). "Pelops at Olympia". Homo Necans. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-05875-0. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Cooper-Chen, Anne (2005). Global entertainment media. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. ISBN 978-0-8058-5168-7. Retrieved 21 March 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Coubertin, Pierre de; Philemon, Timoleon J.; Politis, N.G.; Anninos, Charalambos (1897). The Olympic Games: BC 776 – AD 1896 (PDF). Athens: Charles Beck. Retrieved 2 February 2009. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Crowther, Nigel B. (2007). "The Ancient Olympic Games". Sport in Ancient Times. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-275-98739-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Darling, Janina K. (2004). "Panathenaic Stadium, Athens". Architecture of Greece. Santa Barbara, California: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-32152-8. Retrieved 30 January 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Eassom, Simon (1994). Critical Reflections on Olympic Ideology. Ontario: The Centre for Olympic Studies. ISBN 978-0-7714-1697-2. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Findling, John E.; Pelle, Kimberly D. (2004). Encyclopedia of the Modern Olympic Movement. Westport CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-32278-5. Retrieved 30 March 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Gershon, Richard A. (2000). Telecommunications Management:Industry structures and planning strategies. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. ISBN 978-0-8058-3002-6. Retrieved 21 March 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Golden, Mark (2009). "Helpers, Horses, and Heroes". Greek Sport and Social Status. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-71869-2. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Girginov, Vassil; Parry, Jim (2005). The Olympic Games Explained: A Student Guide to the Evolution of the Modern Olympic Games. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-34604-7. Retrieved 3 July 2012. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• International Olympic Committee (2007). "Olympic Charter" (PDF). International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 19 September 2012. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 2011-07-27 suggested (help)
• Krüger, Arnd; Murray, William J. (2003). The Nazi Olympics: sport, politics and appeasement in the 1930s. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-02815-1. Retrieved 3 July 2012. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Lee, Jeff (24 November 2007). "Hyper-Hush Surrounds 2010 Games Mascots 'Til Tuesday". The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
• Maraniss, David (2008). Rome 1960. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4165-3407-5. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Matthews, George R. (2005). America's first Olympics: the St. Louis games of 1904. University of Missouri Press. ISBN 978-0-8262-1588-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Olympic Museum (2007). "The Olympic Games in Antiquity" (PDF). International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009. {{cite web}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
• Pausanias (1 January 1926). "Elis 1". Description of Greece. Loeb Classical Library. Vol. Vol. 2. translated by W. H. S. Jones and H. A. Ormerud. London: W. Heinemann. ISBN 978-0-674-99207-8. OCLC 10818363. Retrieved 9 January 2009. {{cite book}}: |volume= has extra text (help); External link in |chapterurl= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
• Pindar (1997). "Olympian 10". Olympian Odes. Loeb Classical Library. translated by William H. Race. Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-99564-2. Retrieved 25 March 2009. {{cite book}}: External link in |chapterurl= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |chapterurl= ignored (|chapter-url= suggested) (help)
• Porterfield, Jason (2008). Doping:Athletes and Drugs. New York: Rosen Publishing Group. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-4042-1917-5. Retrieved 30 January 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (27 November 2007). "Vancouver 2010 Mascots Introduced to the World". Canadian NewsWire. Retrieved 10 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
• Richardson, N.J. (1992). "Panhellenic Cults and Panhellenic Poets". In Lewis, D.M.; Boardman, John; Davies, J.K. (eds.). The Fifth Century BC. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-23347-7. Retrieved 2 February 2013. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Roche, Maurice (2000). Mega-Events and Modernity. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN 978-0-415-15711-7. Retrieved 30 January 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Shachar, Ayelet (2011). "Picking Winners: Olympic Citizenship and the Global Race for Talent". Yale Law Journal. 120 (8): 2088–2139. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Schaffer, Kay; Smith, Sidonie (2000). Olympics at the Millennium. New Jersey: Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0-8135-2819-9. Retrieved 30 January 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Slack, Trevor (2004). The Commercialisation of sport. New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-7146-8078-1. Retrieved 31 March 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Spivey, Nigel Jonathan (2004). "Olympia: the Origins". The Fifth Century BC. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-280433-4. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Swaddling, Judith (1999). The Ancient Olympic Games. University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-77751-4. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Swaddling, Judith (2000). The Ancient Olympic Games (2 ed.). Austin: University of Texas Press. ISBN 978-0-292-70373-5. OCLC 10759486. Retrieved 6 June 2009. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Weiler, Ingomar (2004). "The predecessors of the Olympic movement, and Pierre de Coubertin". European Review. 12 (3). Cambridge University Press. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
• Young, David C. (2004). "The Beginnings". A Brief History of the Olympic Games. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN 978-1-4051-1130-0. {{cite book}}: External link in |ref= (help); line feed character in |ref= at position 1287 (help)
• Young, David C. (1996). The Modern Olympics: A Struggle for Revival. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-7207-5. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)

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jnestorius^(talk) 00:15, 9 September 2017 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion:

• Olympic Tent City - Day 1 - Housing activists.jpg

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. Community Tech bot (talk) 14:36, 23 June 2018 (UTC)

Unencyclopedic

This entire article from top to bottom does not follow an encyclopedic tone. The introduction section is a terse summary that merely repeats unsourced allegations without any attempt to provide perspective. The page is organized into 14 sections without any structure. No categorization based on the type of complaint or the region or the timespan. The title of each section is too long and reflects an overly broad view of each subject. Words like "and" almost never belong in a section title. That's a clear indication it should be 2 sections. But most importantly, the content of the article consists entirely of dull, secondhand claims without any effort made to research the claims or provide more context. For example, the section on the rising sun flag lists off the allegations against the flag without any commentary from Japanese media or government who obviously disagree. That one-sidedness is not characteristic of encyclopedic content. In its current form, this article should either be deleted or retitled to "Criticism of the Olympics" and expanded with content from the criticism section of the main Olympics article. —2hip2carebear (talk) 19:19, 15 April 2021 (UTC)