The Sexual and Gender Politics of Sport Mega-Events

This challenging new study examines gender and sexuality in relation to race and colonialism in sport. Focusing on six case studies (the Vancouver Olympics, London Olympics, Sochi Olympics, Rio World Cup and Olympics, Israeli gay sport and Egyptian soccer ultras), the book addresses racism and colonialism within gay and lesbian politics in sport. It also investigates ‘homonationalism’ in sport, where the inclusion of gays and lesbians is closely aligned to the interests of the colonial nation-states. Most importantly, this study offers a counter-narrative to the view that gay and lesbian inclusion in global sporting events necessarily promotes global peace and international development.