The London Olympics of 2012: Politics, Promises and Legacy (Global Culture and Sport Series)

Analysing the politics of the 2012 London Olympics, Stephen Wagg examines the framing of London's bid to host the Games, arguments about the Games' likely impact and the establishment of 'Fortress London' to protect the Games. The book asks who won, and who lost out, in this important event as well as exploring its media coverage and legacy. When the choice came to be made in 2005, Paris was the most fancied city to host the Olympic Games of 2012. But the Games, to the surprise of some, were awarded to London. And, like all Olympics of recent times, important questions were raised, which this book attempts to answer: why London? Lord Coe and his promotion team promised an Olympics that would "inspire a generation": would such inspiration be likely, or even possible and, if so, what form would it take ? London's East End would be regenerated, but to whose benefit ? Was the Games' opening ceremony an accurate depiction of Britian ? Was the media coverage of London 2012 too critical ? What was the role of the corporate sponsors of the Games, and why was so much money spent on Olympic security ? Stephen Wagg's book provides a compelling and comprehensive analysis of the politics of the London 2012 Olympics, asking who won, and who lost out in this seminal event, andwhether it has created a lasting legacy When the choice came to be made in 2005, Paris was the most fancied city to host the Olympic Games of 2012. But the Games, to the surprise of some, were awarded to London. And, like all Olympics of recent times, important questions were raised, which this book attempts to answer: why London? Lord Coe and his promotion team promised an Olympics that would "inspire a generation": would such inspiration be likely, or even possible and, if so, what form would it take? London's East End would be regenerated, but to whose benefit? Was the Games' opening ceremony an accurate depiction of Britain? Was the media coverage of London 2012 too critical? What was the role of the corporate sponsors of the Games, and why was so much money spent on Olympic security? Stephen Wagg's book provides a compelling and comprehensive analysis of the politics of the London 2012 Olympics, asking who won, and who lost out in this seminal event, andwhether it has created a lasting legacy Front Matter....Pages i-viii The Contemporary Olympic Games — Commercial Juggernaut or the Price of Progress?....Pages 1-13 The Games Come to London....Pages 14-28 ‘It Remains Unclear How Local People Will Benefit ...’: Post-Bid, Pre-Games — Prognostication and Protest....Pages 29-43 Looking for Inspiration: The Politics of the Olympic Flame at London 2012....Pages 44-60 ‘Isambard Kingdom Brunel Wasn’t a Marxist’: The Opening Ceremony of London 2012....Pages 61-89 ‘Just Put Down the Pepsi ...’: London 2012 and the Corporations....Pages 90-133 How Good Does That Feel? London 2012: Media and Celebrity....Pages 134-159 Islands of Gentrification? London 2012: Politics and Legacy....Pages 160-195 Back Matter....Pages 196-211