0
Your cart

Your cart is empty

Books > History > American history

Buy Now

Before the Eyes of the World - Mexico and the 1968 Olympic Games (Hardcover, New) Loot Price: R662
Discovery Miles 6 620
You Save: R165 (20%)
Before the Eyes of the World - Mexico and the 1968 Olympic Games (Hardcover, New): Kevin Witherspoon

Before the Eyes of the World - Mexico and the 1968 Olympic Games (Hardcover, New)

Kevin Witherspoon

 (sign in to rate)
List price R827 Loot Price R662 Discovery Miles 6 620 | Repayment Terms: R62 pm x 12* You Save R165 (20%)

Bookmark and Share

Expected to ship within 10 - 15 working days

Mexican leaders eagerly anticipated the attention that hosting the world's most visible sporting event would bring, yet they could not have predicted the array of conflicts that would play out before the eyes of the world during the notorious 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Following twenty years of economic growth and political stability-known as the "Mexican miracle"-Mexican policy makers escaped their prior image of being economically underdeveloped to successfully craft an image of a nation that was both modern and cosmopolitan but also steeped in culture and tradition. Buoyed by this new image, they set their sights on the Olympic bid, and they not only won but also prepared impressive facilities. Prior to the opening ceremonies, several controversies emerged, the most glaring of which was a student protest movement that culminated in a public massacre, leaving several hundred students dead. Less dramatic were concerns that athletes would suffer harm in the high elevation and thin air, debates over the nature of amateurism, threats by nations opposing apartheid to boycott if South Africa was allowed to compete, and the introduction of drug and gender testing. Additionally the Olympics provided a forum for the United States and the Soviet Union to carry their Cold War rivalry to the playing field-a way to achieve victory without world destruction at stake. During the Games, one of the most significant controversies occurred when two African American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, raised their fists in the Black Power salute while on the medal stand. This gesture brought worldwide attention to racism within the United States and remains a lasting image of both the Mexico City Olympics and the Civil Rights movement. Although the Olympics are intended to bring athletes of the world together for harmonious competition, the 1968 Games will long be remembered as fraught with discord. This ambitious and comprehensive study will appeal to those interested in US history, Latin American history, sports history, and Olympic history.

General

Imprint: Northern Illinois University Press
Country of origin: United States
Release date: July 2008
First published: July 2008
Authors: Kevin Witherspoon
Dimensions: 229 x 152 x 15mm (L x W x T)
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 224
Edition: New
ISBN-13: 978-0-87580-388-3
Categories: Books > Humanities > History > American history > General
Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation > Sporting events, tours & organisations > Olympic games
Books > Humanities > History > World history > From 1900 > Postwar, from 1945
Books > History > American history > General
Books > History > World history > From 1900 > Postwar, from 1945
LSN: 0-87580-388-1
Barcode: 9780875803883

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!

Partners