Forget the medals, the real game of the Olympics is soft power — and the opening ceremony is key
- Written by: Caitlin Vincent, Lecturer in Creative Industries, The University of Melbourne
Kyodo via AP ImagesThe Olympic Games are often hailed as a neutral celebration of athletic achievement. “The Olympic Games are not about politics,” wrote the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, in the Guardian last year.
In reality, the games have long been a platform for soft power: the use of culture and values to...