History and Public Policy Program

Mikhail Yu. Prozumenshchikov, Russia's leading historian of sport, tells the story of Brezhnev's long-held dream of hosting the Olympics in Moscow. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-23-brezhnev-s-dream

After 1949, the People’s Republic of China on the mainland and the Republic of China on Taiwan both competed for recognition at international sporting events and the right to refer to themselves as the true “China."

Andrew D. Morris (California Polytechnic State University) dives into years of mutual boycotts, defections, and subterfuge played out on the Olympic stage. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-22-a-clash-of-two-chinas

Boycotts of South Africa at international sporting competitions proved uniquely powerful in influencing world opinion and motivating the end of Apartheid. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-21-sport-and-apartheid-in-south-africa

The Soviet player Lev Yashin was one of the first international football stars. Known for his friendly-demeanor, Yashin was embraced by sport fans worldwide. Mauricio Borrero (St. John's University) explains Yashin's enduring appeal and significance. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-20-the-black-spider

In 1986 world-famous tennis star Martina Navratilova returned home to Czechoslovakia eleven years after defecting to the United States. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-19-the-girl-who-got-away

David McDonald and James G. Hershberg tell the story of the 1972 Summit Series, when Canada and the Soviet Union met in a historical eight-game hockey series. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-18-1972-summit-series

The East German regime saw sport as a means to demonstrate the superiority of socialism over the capitalist system. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-17-east-german-soft-power

Tim Naftali (New York University), author of One Hell of a Gamble, talks about the political dimensions of international competitions during the Cold War. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-16-war-minus-the-shooting

Annette Timm (University of Calgary) explains Witt's complicated image as a glamorous sex symbol and a loyal supporter of the East German regime. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-15-katarina-witt

While the Games successfully promoted friendship and solidarity among Latin American countries, for the United States they represented a continuing failure of cultural diplomacy. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-14-the-pan-american-games