Winters of Discontent
Cloth: 01/07/2025
About the Book
Every four years, the Winter Olympics become a focal point for activism and resistance. But in the modern era, mere bids to host the Games have sparked fierce opposition from groups motivated by local or global concerns. Russell Field edits a collection that charts the evolution of protest around the Winter Games and illuminates the issues at the heart of anti-Olympic activism.The essays collectively explore the shifting dynamics and power relations between the civic coalitions that pursue the Winter Olympics and the social movements that oppose their efforts. The contributors look at specific Games impacted by dissent and probe the issues that swirled around failed and withdrawn bids. In addition, contributions on the contemporary Olympics describe current or future bids while delving into the campaigns demanding host nations pay attention to economic, social, humanitarian, and environmental concerns.
A first-of-its-kind collection, Winters of Discontent profiles the wide range of activists and social movements that have organized against the Winter Olympics.
Contributors: Adam Berg, Tyrel Eskelson, Bieke Gils, Christine O’Bonsawin, Russell Field, Keiko Ikeda, Christine O’Bonsawin, Jan Ove Tangen, Sven Daniel Wolfe, and Liv Yoon
About the Author
Russell Field is an associate professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba. He is the author of A Night at the Gardens: Class, Gender, and Respectability in 1930s Toronto.Reviews
Blurbs
“This thoughtfully curated collection explores the long history of opposition to Winter Olympic Games, especially the main concerns (costs, environmental destruction, Indigenous erasure and IOC capitalism), tactics, and the experiences of activists. It’s a timely, invaluable contribution to mega-event studies.”--Bruce Kidd, author of A Runner’s Journey
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