Contemporary Sport And Its Implications For The Olympic Games (4)

Miah, Andy

Abstract

This article proposes a framework for defining contemporary sport as a route into understanding
critical trends that are shaping the future of the Olympic Games. First, it specifies that the last 20 years
have represented a period of distinct societal change, which has established new economic, cultural,
and political configurations around the Olympic Movement, particularly by ushering in a digital-first
social order. Second, it examines the lifestyles of Gen Z and Gen Alpha to articulate new forms of
cultural participation, which are inextricable from the trajectory of 20th century media and—in sport—
defined by the rise of esports, urban games, and the attention to wellness over competition as defining
values. On this basis, it is further argued that a values-based approach to defining contemporary sport
presents a new set of criteria against which sports are evaluated societally, as younger generations
turn towards self-governance, informal sports participation, community, and cooperation as critical
units of social value. Finally, it shows how the wider societal interests of the Olympic extended family
stakeholders are shaping the future of the Olympic Games programme by elevating the new
participants of emerging sports and sports formats to expand what sports mean to a new generation.

• Online Publication Date: Jul 24, 2024
• Publication Date: Jul 24, 2024
• Deposit Date: Aug 15, 2024
• Pages: 1-14
• Book Title: Olympic Knowledge - ESSENTIAL READINGS Series
• Publisher URL: https://library.olympics.com/
• Related Public URLs: https://library.olympics.com/Default/doc/SYRACUSE/3415474/contemporary-sport-and-its-implications-for-the-olympic-games-by-andy-miah
• Contract Date: May 5, 2024