Your Call: Political history and power games of the Olympics

On the July 20th edition of Your Call, former U.S. Olympic soccer player Jules Boykoff joins us to discuss his new book Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics.Boykoff says the Olympics are a bonanza for the ruling class and Rio shows us this in an extreme form. The games begin in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 5th. But the state's economic crisis has caused a breakdown in public security, health, and education. How are Brazilians responding? What would a more equitable Olympics look like? It’s Your Call with Rose Aguilar and you.

Guest:

Jules Boykoff, author Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics and Activism, and professor of politics and government at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon

Web Resources: 

Jules Boykoff discusses Power Games at the Green Arcade

The New York Times: What Makes Brazilians Sick

The New York Times: Brazil’s Olympic Catastrophe

Jacobin: Let the Games Begin, the Rio Olympics are taking to the extreme the overblown promises and neoliberal development now typical of the games.

The Guardian: 'Olympics for Whom?' Rio State workers struggle ahead of 2016 Games

NPR: Rio's Governor Declares 'State Of Calamity' Ahead Of Olympic Games

PRI: Samia Yusuf Omar earned fame as a runner, but died as a refugee. A new comic honors her.