Olympic and Paralympic Sport in Transition

This book offers an in-depth examination of the evolution of Olympic and Paralympic sport, exploring the dynamic interplay between innovation, sustainability, and technology. Drawing on multidisciplinary research from sociology, history, political science, education, and technology studies, this book delves into the transformation of sporting disciplines, Olympic events, and sport organizations within various social contexts, highlighting different types of legacies across summer, winter, and youth games, as well as such contemporary challenges as environmental sustainability. It discusses the impact of technological innovations on athlete performance, event organization, and fan engagement, while also addressing the unique role of sport in shaping social and national identities, including those of marginalized communities. By examining both the past and future of Olympic and Paralympic sport, this anthology provides insights into how sport organizations navigate modernization and the global landscape. This is a compelling read for any student, researcher, practitioner, or policymaker interested in the intersection of sport, culture, and innovation.

Jörg Krieger is Associate Professor of Sport and Body Culture in the Department of Public Health at Aarhus University, Denmark, and Professor II in the School of Business and Social Sciences at the University of Inland Norway. His research explores the relationship between politics and international sport, anti-doping, athlete activism, and the role of women in the Olympic movement. Svein Erik Nordhagen is Associate Professor of Sport Management and Head of the Bachelor of Sport Management program in the Department of Organisation, Leadership and Management at the University of Inland Norway. His research focuses on organization and leadership in sport and events, especially in the context of the Olympic movement. Anne Tjønndal is Professor of Sociology of Sport at Nord University, Norway, and serves as Professor II in Sport Management at the University of Inland Norway. Her research focuses on innovation and sport technology, esports, social inclusion, and exclusion in sport organizations.

Introduction: Olympic and Paralympic Sport in Transition PART I Transformations in Olympic Cultures and Identities 1 Lillehammer's 1994 Winter Olympic Games: Small City, Big Event JON HELGE LESJØ, SVEIN ERIK NORDHAGEN, AND TRINE LØVOLD SYVERSEN 2 The Challenge of Integrating Indigenous Knowledge in Olympic Bidding Processes - The Tromsø Bids INGE HERMANRUD AND DILARA VALIYEVA 3 National Identities in Transition? Interaction Rituals and Identity among Biathlon and Cross-Country Spectators ARVE HJELSETH AND MADS SKAUGE 4 Advancing the Social Sustainability of Athlete Support Systems: Insights from a Paralympic Case Study HANWEI ZHANG AND ASTRID SCHUBRING 5 Rival Sport Movements and the Evolution of the Olympic Movement: Forcing Olympic Innovation JÖRG KRIEGER PART II Innovation and Technologies 6 The Youth Olympic Games as a Platform for Innovation within the Olympic Movement SVEIN ERIK NORDHAGEN 7 Technological Innovations in Refereeing: A Study of Winter Olympic Sports SIGBJØRN H. SKIRBEKK, STIAN RØSTEN, EGIL TRASTI ROGSTAD, AND ANNE TJØNNDAL 8 Beyond the Paralympics: Dis§ability Sport and Technology CARLA FILOMENA SILVA AND P. DAVID HOWE 9 Innovation Failures at the Olympic and Paralympic Games DANIELE CANINI AND ANNE TJØNNDAL PART III Sustainability 10 The Olympic Agenda 2020 as a Tool for Promoting Sustainable Development through Sports: Organisational Innovation at the Forefront? MAJA NILSSEN 11 Strategies and Tactics of Leveraging the Paris 2024 Open Water Swimming Events: Reinventing the Seine for Swimming SEAN HEATH AND DAGMAR DAHL 12 Peace in Play, Politics at Game from PyeongChang 2018 to Gangwon 2024: A Tale of Two Regimes IK YOUNG CHANG AND SEUL KI PARK 13 Major Sports Events as Prospects for Green Innovation FRIDA AUSTMO WÅGAN AND JON HELGE LESJØ