ABSTRACT
The vortextuality of the Olympics has become even more intense with the growth of social media. Olympic boosters/ supporters line up against sceptics/ activists in terms of considering the Games legitimate and / or in need of improvement or revision, or on the other hand, in need of delegitimizing through popular debate, demonstrations, and education that will lead to the transformation of the Games. While the International Olympic Committee has made efforts to promote women in sport, involve athletes with disabilities through the Paralympics, and created a refugee team from the 2016 Olympics, one or more ‘good’ actions do not balance out harmful actions. The entire life cycle of an Olympics, and other sports mega-events, has to be covered by ‘good’ deeds. As US journalist Dave Zirin reiterates, often debt, displacement, privatization, and militarization of public spaces are the main outcomes of hosting the Olympics.
