ABSTRACT
Chapter 4 analyzes the motivation of countries to participate in the Olympic Games, and to aim for success in the largest sporting event in the world. I argue that the Games are mainly a contest between nation-states, and offer a nonviolent alternative to express nationalism. I also argue that Olympic success can unify divided countries, that success can be a tool for achieving statehood, and that Olympic sport offers an arena for states to compete with each other and gain soft power. I conclude that “the new gold war” on the sports field is a far better alternative than military war.
