Games of Discontent: Protests, Boycotts, and Politics at the 1968 Mexico Olympics

The 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico were supposed to be a moment of respite from chaos, but the image of peace was an illusion. Harry Blutstein's book Games of Discontent provides vivid accounts of threatened boycotts, demonstrations, and the iconic black power salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos, inspiring Colin Kaepernick and a new generation of athlete-activists to take a knee against racism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 15 April 2021
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

The year 1968 was a tumultuous and eventful year marked by protests and turmoil across the world. In Paris and Prague, the United States, and cities across all continents, people took to the streets to voice their grievances and demand change. The Summer Olympic Games in Mexico were supposed to be a moment of respite from the chaos, but they ended up becoming a symbol of the tensions that were brewing.

The organizers of the Games chose a white dove as the symbol of peace, an image that was meant to evoke tranquility and unity. However, this image was an illusion, as it was obvious to a record six hundred million people watching worldwide on satellite television. Just ten days before the opening ceremony, soldiers in the capital slaughtered hundreds of student protesters, further underscoring the false sense of peace.

The 1968 Summer Games were a microcosm of the discord happening around the globe. In addition to the protests in Mexico, there were threatened boycotts to protest racism in the United States, South Africa, and Rhodesia. Harry Blutstein, in his book Games of Discontent, provides vivid accounts of these protests and the individuals who were involved. He describes demonstrations by Czechoslovak gold medal gymnast Věra Čáslavská against the Soviet-led invasion of her country, which became a symbol of resistance against oppression.

The most dramatic moment of the Olympic Games was the black power salute performed by Tommie Smith and John Carlos on the podium. Blutstein delves into the background of this protest and examines how it seared itself into historical memory, inspiring Colin Kaepernick and a new generation of athlete-activists to take a knee against racism decades later.

The 1968 Summer Games were a turning point in the history of sports and activism. They showed the world that athletes could use their platform to speak out against social injustices and that their actions could have a lasting impact on society. The book Games of Discontent provides a valuable insight into this period of history and the individuals who played a crucial role in shaping it.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228006756