The Olympic Games and Cultural Policy

This book explores how cultural policies are reflected in the design, management and promotion of the Olympic Games. Beatriz Garcia examines the concept and evolution of cultural policies throughout the recent history of the Olympic Games and then specifically evaluates the cultural program of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Garcia argues that the cultural relevance of a major event is highly dependant on the consistency of the policy choices informing its cultural dimensions. She demonstrates how major events, such as the Olympic Games, frequently fail to leave long-term cultural legacies and are often unable to provide an experience that fully engages and represents the host community, due to their over-emphasis on an economic rather than a social and cultural agenda.