Jan 27, 2022
Book Club Claire is back for our first book club session of 2022! Because of the cries from various Western countries (United States, we’re looking at you) to boycott the Beijing 2022 and the ensuing diplomatic boycott by several of them, we wanted to look at the last US-led boycott of an Olympics, that of the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow.
Claire leads us in a discussion of Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games by Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli, which covers both the political side of the boycott, athletes’ varied reactions to it, and what could’ve been. Did you know that the 1980 Olympics would’ve been the first time the US was represented by an African-American gymnast? True!
We’ve also got some news from TKFLASTAN, including Olympic dreams realized for some of our TKFLASTSANIS who will be heading to Beijing, and dreams dashed for others. Plus, one TKFLASTANI is in limbo – our bobsledder Josh Williamson tested positive for COVID, but if he recovers in time, he could still potentially get to Beijing.
Speaking of Beijing, we have details on the torch relay and the Opening Ceremonies – and it’s almost time for Jill to hop on a plane to go there. Will she make it?
Prep for Beijing with our viewing guide! Find it on Amazon and now Apple Books!
Want a transcript of this episode? Find it here.
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Keep the Flame Alive: The Podcast for Fans of the Olympics and Paralympics with hosts Jill Jaracz & Alison Brown
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