Fastest, Highest, Strongest: A Critique of High-Performance Sport (Routledge Critical Studies in Sport) - Softcover

Beamish, Rob

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415770432 ISBN 13: 9780415770439

Publisher: Routledge, 2006

Synopsis

Fastest, Highest, Strongest presents a comprehensive challenge to the dominant orthodoxy concerning the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport.

Examining the political and economic transformation of the Olympic Movement during the twentieth century, the authors argue that the realities of modern sport require a serious reassessment of current policies, in particular the ban on the use of certain substances and practices. The book includes detailed discussion of:

* The historical importance of World War II and the Cold War in the development of a high-performance culture in sport

* The changing Olympic project: from amateurism to a fully professionalized approach

* The changing meaning of "sport"

* The role of sport science, technology and drugs in pursuing ever-better performance

* The major ethical and philosophical arguments used to support the ban on performance-enhancing substances in sport.

Fastest, Highest, Strongest is a profound critical examination of modern sport. Its straightforward style will appeal to under- and post-graduate students as well as scholars of sports ethics and history, policy makers and all those interested in the changing nature of sport.

About this title

Synopsis:

This is a critical exploration of the use of drugs and other performance-enhancing practices in sport, tracing the development of the situation today through its socio-political history. The authors draw together research from around the world to present a challenging and rigorous critique of the use of athletes as representatives of political regimes, and the constant striving for medals that has altered the ethos of the Olympic Games from its earnest beginnings to the multi-million multi-media extravaganza seen today. Broadening the debate about drugs to include the systemic use of performance-enhancing techniques, this book offers a refreshing and controversial perspective on the modern Olympics, and its straightforward style will appeal to under- and post-graduate students, as well as scholars of sports ethics and history, policy makers and anyone interested in the changing nature of sport.

About this edition

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0415770432
• ISBN 13: 9780415770439
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208