Internationalism in the Olympic Movement: Idea and Reality between Nations, Cultures, and People

Dr. Holger Preuss is a Professor of Sport Economics and Sport Sociology at the Institute of Sport Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Media, and Sports, at Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany.
Karsten Liese worked as a Scientific Assistant at the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz and for the National Olympic Academy of Germany. He currently works as the Federal Adviser in charge of the Sports Committee for the CDU/CSU Faction at the German Parliament.

The idea of “Internationalism” has manifested itself not only in the intercultural dialogue within the Olympic Movement, but also at the Olympic Games as the sportive, cultural, and media peak of the four-year-circle. The authors analyze and discuss Internationalism from different professional perspectives, against different cultural backgrounds, as well as in relation to diverse reference groups to widen the understanding of Internationalism as a social interaction in the Olympic Movement. They also aim at establishing the intersections and equal normative principles of “Internationalism” within the different cultural and institutional fields. These common grounds may be useful for the practical implementation and realization of “Internationalism” through Olympic sports and at Olympic Youth Camps.

This book is valuable reading for academics, practitioners, and policy makers in the field of sport sociology and Olympic studies.