Cultural Imperialism and the Olympic Games Virtually since their resumption in 1896, every four years the press is filled with complaints about the intrusion of power politics into the Olympic games. David B. Kanin has commented that while we are told that international Olympic system idealizes and promotes fair play and sportsmanship and ameliorates struggle, hatred, and petty jealously through structured competition and international goodwill, the realist is that "international sport thrives on the very politics …showed first 75 words of 1531 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1531 total…international tension aside and compete on the playing field. Athletes represent their country and when they do win, it raises national pride within that country. On the victory stand a champion may feel he or she is representing only himself or herself or may feel transformed as the representative of a country, society, or cause (Senn xv). Nevertheless, Cultural imperialism has impacted the Games tremendously and its effects can even be seen in today's Games.