Britain's Olympic Women: A History

Britain has a long and distinguished history as an Olympic nation, but most Olympic histories have focused on men's sport. This book is the first to tell the story of Britain's Olympic women, how they changed the Olympic spectacle, and how they have reinterpreted the Games. It explores the sporting culture produced by British women who aspired to become Olympians, from the early years of the modern Olympic movement to the London 2012 era. It uses oral history and family history sources to tell of the social processes through which British Olympic women have become heroes and anti-heroes in the public consciousness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 356 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Britain boasts a rich and storied history as an Olympic nation, with a significant presence in the Olympic Games. However, most Olympic histories have primarily focused on men's sports, leaving the stories of British Olympic women overlooked. This groundbreaking book is the first to chronicle the remarkable journey of these women, their impact on the Olympic spectacle, and the profound ways in which they have reinterpreted the Games.

The book delves into the central themes of gender and nationalism, employing a wealth of fresh empirical and archival evidence to shed light on the sporting culture cultivated by British women who aspired to become Olympians. It explores the frameworks imposed on female athletes by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the British Olympic Association (BOA), and the various affiliated sporting international federations. Through the use of oral history and family history sources, the book weaves a captivating narrative that reveals the social processes through which British Olympic women have emerged as both heroes and anti-heroes in the public consciousness.

The book uncovers the hidden narratives surrounding remarkable women such as Charlotte Cooper, Lottie Dod, Audrey Brown, and Pat Smythe, and brings the story into the modern era of London 2012. By examining the experiences of these women, the book helps us to better understand the intricate relationship between sport, gender, media, and wider society. This captivating reading is of interest to anyone with a passion for sport history, Olympic history, women's history, British history, or gender studies.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367532796