Olympic visions : Iimages of the games through history

African American sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos protesting racial segregation in the United States in 1968. Hitler watching the Berlin Olympics in 1936. Michael Phelps' photo finish in the 100-meter butterfly to win his seventh of a record eight medals in 2008. Since its creation in 1896, the Olympic Games have produced iconic images such as these, from the second the Olympic flame is lit at the lavish opening ceremony to the moment that same flame is extinguished at its close. As billions across the globe watch this showcase of fitness, strength, and skill, few understand how the pictorial legacy of the Games continues to shape the way the events are viewed today. Olympic Visions explores how painters and sculptors, photographers and filmmakers, and architects and designers have helped to affect the consciousness of spectators around the world. Mike O'Mahony describes and analyzes images such as documentary photographs and posters made of the Olympics throughout history. He also looks at the many special objects, including coins, medals, and sculptures, that have been made to commemorate the games. His detailed insights into the world of Olympic artifacts, combined with the beautiful illustrations included here, present a crucial addition to our understanding of the games and the way we watch them. With the next Olympic Games beginning in London in July, Olympic Visions will be an essential companion to viewers tuning in to cheer on their national teams to triumph and glory. Since its creation in 1896, the Olympic Games has become a worldwide phenomenon viewed by billions across the globe. Staged every four years, people from every country find it difficult not to be caught up in the excitement of the games, from the lighting of the Olympic flame at the lavish, spectacular opening ceremony to the extinguishing at its close. Over the years it has become an honour for a city to be chosen to host this showcase of fitness, strength and skill. And yet despite a great deal being written on the subject, few books have focused on how the visuals of the Games can shape the way in which the events themselves are viewed - until now. In Olympic Visions Mike O'Mahony explores how painters and sculptors, photographers and filmmakers, architects and designers have helped to shape the consciousness of spectators around the world. The combination of beautiful illustrations and detailed insights into the world of Olympic artefacts makes this a crucial addition to the library of any sports fan or Olympic supporter. Olympic Visions will also appeal to those with an interest in art, photography, film or design, and will have a special relevance in 2012, when London plays host to the spectacle that is the modern Olympic Games Explores How Painters And Sculptors, Photographers And Filmmakers, And Architects And Designers Have Helped To Affect The Consciousness Of Olympic Spectators Around The World. Imaging The Ancient Olympics -- The Birth Of The Modern Olympic Games -- A Suitable Activity For A Woman? -- Celluloid Games -- The Russians Are Coming!: The Olympics And The Cold War -- Olympic Transgressions: Drugs, Political Protest, And Terrorism -- Promoting The Games: Publicity And The Official Olympic Poster -- Designs On The Olympics: From Stadia To Sporting Paraphernalia. Mike O'mahony. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 159-168) And Index.