Re-Imagining (the) Olympics
Tuesday 2nd September 2014
Mansfield College, Oxford, United Kingdom
The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a globalised phenomenon. The Games are a multi-billion dollar industry, a mega event, a showcase for professionalism and internationalisation; yet, also, these events have changed significantly from the origins of the modern Olympic movement in the nineteenth century, in which ideologies of amateurism, nationalism and masculinity played a strong part. The modern Olympic Games of today, and those of 1896, are in turn shaped by myths and historical debates about the meaning and purpose of the original, ancient Olympic Games. Those debates help people understand the importance or otherwise of the Olympic Ideal, and contribute to the reimagining of the Games and the Olympics – past, present and future. This workshop will bring together practitioners involved in the modern-day events to reflect on their experiences alongside academics interested in the history, philosophy, sociology and aesthetics of the Olympics.
This workshop will follow the principles and aims of Inter-Disciplinary.Net (IDN). IDN was set up to bring academics and practitioners together to discuss research, ideas, good practice and best practice: to help individuals to think critically and think with an inter-disciplinary lens. This workshop intends to bring people involved in working on the meaning and purpose of the Olympics together, whether they are academics or practitioners, dedicated supporters or strong critics, to share ideas and to try to solve some of the issues the movement faces as it develops into the twenty-first century.
Purpose:
- To bring together practitioners and academics to look at how the Olympic movement has developed, the re-imagining of Olympism, and the problems and challenges facing the Olympics movement – and the opportunities
Audience:
- Development Officers and Managers from any relevant NGB/IGB organisations
- Staff from previous bidding organisations
- Campaigners
- Academics
Themes:
- The use of the ancient Olympics in modern history
- Modern Olympics histories
- Olympics as Aesthetics
- The Olympic Philosophy
- Amateurism and Professionalism
- The Olympics Industry
- Mega-events management and policy
- Globalization and Internationalization
- Counter-Olympic campaigns
We invite expressions of interest for people thinking of attending and for them to send a statement of their interest and experience/expertise to the organising chairs:
- Karl Spraklen K.Spracklen@leedsmet.ac.uk.
- Rob Fisher: olympics1@inter-disciplinary.net
Schedule:
The day will begin with registration between 8.30 am and 9.30am Tuesday 2nd September 2014 and will be followed by a series of presentation sessions and workshops. Refreshments and a 2 course sit-down lunch will be provided. After the final workshop and summation of the days discussions and the event will end with a wine reception.
Registration Fee: £95. This Includes:
- conference registration fee
- discounted rate off any Inter-Disciplinary Press or Fisher Imprints publications
- access to the conference project initiative support materials
- morning coffee break with coffee, tea, fruit juice, fresh fruits, cakes
- 2 course waiter served lunch
- afternoon coffee break with coffee, tea, fruit juice, fresh fruits, cakes
- Wine Reception
Organisers:
Workshop Leader Karl Spracklen, Leeds Metropolitan University
Organising Committee
Dikaia Chatziefstathiou, Canterbury Christ Church University
Anne-Marie Cook, Inter-Disciplinary.Net
Stephen Wagg, Leeds Metropolitan University
Please note: Inter-Disciplinary.Net is a not-for-profit network and we are not in a position to be able to assist with conference travel or subsistence.
