Expert Q&A: Ralph Carter Speaks on the Politics of the Olympic Games

The 2024 Summer Olympics in France are a celebratory time for many – including a record nine Horned Frogs competing – but the Games are against the backdrop of dynamic circumstances throughout the globe. TCU News spoke to Ralph Carter, Piper Professor of political science, about viewing the Olympics through the lens of current affairs.

Q: Between the Russia/Ukraine conflict, the Israel/Palestine conflict and more, the Olympics are occurring during a tumultuous time in our world. Would you share your observations on that as a political scientist? 

The Olympics always take place against a backdrop of international politics. They often generate a surge in nationalism on the part of participating countries. There could be demonstrations for or against certain countries or their athletes that get the attention of the media, but the conflicts currently underway in the world will be largely unaffected. 

Q: This is not new. Do any other Games stick out in your mind that occurred during disruption? 

The 1980 Olympics were held in Moscow less than a year after the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. As a result, many countries boycotted participating in those games, including the United States. Ultimately, 67 countries chose not to participate in 1980. In retaliation, the Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Olympics held in Los Angeles along with a handful of pro-Soviet or anti-US countries. Nonetheless, 140 countries participated in 1984, making it the largest number of participating countries up to that point.

Q: Do you feel the Olympic Games happening during times like these helps or hurts? Do you feel it brings a respite or instead makes things more uncomfortable? 

It magnifies both the good and bad emotions that arise with heightened nationalism. However, this is usually short-lived, and relationships return to their prior state pretty quickly.

Q: For years the Olympics have looked past differences in governments, societies, politics, even human rights. From a historical and political standpoint, what do you think the impact of the Games has been? 

The Olympics are a mirror of current realities in international politics. The fact that in 1936 four Olympic gold medals were won in Berlin by a Black American – Jesse Owens – did not change Adolf Hitler’s racism. The 1980 boycott of the Moscow games did not result in a Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan. In short, the Olympics have minimal impact on global politics, if that.  

Q: Anything else you would like to add? 

In the past, many countries have gone on spending sprees to host an Olympics, building arenas and sporting facilities, “Olympic villages” of apartments, etc. Many of those countries have failed to recoup any meaningful return on their investments. Oftentimes, those facilities fall into disrepair and lead one to wonder how those financial resources could be better invested for the people of that country. Only a limited number of countries have the in-place sporting facilities and hospitality infrastructure to host such events. It’s long past time, in my opinion, for there to be some changes in the decision-making process regarding host countries.

Ralph Carter is available to speak with media about the upcoming Olympic Games - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.