The Paris Olympics were marked by several notable achievements and milestones. They were the first Olympic Games to achieve gender parity among athletes, placed a strong emphasis on sustainability, and featured record-breaking performances, including 32 new world records. More than one million spectators attended events at venues in and around Paris, while billions of people around the world followed the Games on television.
Beyond their sporting significance, however, the Paris Olympics also represented a major political spectacle. In The Politics of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Professor Stockemer and contributing scholars explore how the Games intersected with politics, international relations and global events.
The volume examines the political dimensions of the Olympics through a variety of perspectives, with particular attention to the National Olympic Hospitality Houses and the ways in which global crises—including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine—complicated the organization and experience of the Games.
The publication explores the complex relationship between sport and politics, highlighting broader tensions surrounding transparency and corruption, as well as peace and conflict. By examining these dynamics, the volume offers insight into how major international sporting events can serve not only as celebrations of athletic achievement, but also as important spaces where political interests, national identities and global issues intersect.
Professor Stockemer’s publication contributes to ongoing discussions about the role of politics in international sporting events and the broader political significance of the Olympic Games.