History and Public Policy Program

Toby C. Rider, author of Cold War Games, explains the United States’ government’s use of sport as a tool of statecraft in the early Cold War years. The U.S. government tried to project an appealing image of American ideals and culture through the medium of sport. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-13-sport-and-statecraft-in-the-u-s

Having risen to prominence at the 1960 Olympics, Ali was heavyweight champion of the world when he was called up to serve in Vietnam in 1967 – and refused, on religious grounds. Ali’s refusal to fight in Vietnam places him at the crossroads of race relations, the Cold War and American politics. Episode Notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-12-muhammad-ali

Mal Whitfield was a five-time Olympic medalist who spent forty years as a sports coach and goodwill ambassador in Africa. Whitfield’s journey from athlete to ambassador, at a time when racism was rife in US society, is told by Kevin Witherspoon, History Professor at Lander University, South Carolina. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-11-marvelous-mal-whitfield

In the 1950s, anxiety about the decline of France's empire and "great power" status was expressed through concern about its poor athletic performance at international competitions. Lindsay Krasnoff, author of The Making of Les Bleus: Sport in France, 1958-2010, describes how France attempted to catch up on the Cold War playing field.

Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-10-france-s-sport-crisis

The Soviet magazine "Krokodil" was published for decades poking fun at such topical events like the boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-09-soviet-sport-satire

Amidst a monolithic Soviet football system, Georgia stood out as a country with a uniquely artistic and agile style. Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-08-georgian-football

Mozambique-born Eusébio can be seen as an example of local sporting talent being mined for the benefit of a colonial power.

Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-07-eusebio

Thomas M. Hunt, author of Drug Games, explains the history and politics of doping during the Cold War.

Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-06-performance-enhancing-drugs

Erica L. Fraser (Carleton University) talks about the role of hockey in Soviet sports culture and why "no coward plays hockey."

Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-05-real-men-play-hockey

In post-war Italy, football became the battleground for an ideological struggle between religion and communism. Fabien Archambault (University of Limoges) explains how the Catholic Church promoted the game to increase its own influence in Italian society and out-maneuver the Italian Communist Party.

Episode notes: http://digitalarchive.wilsoncenter.org/resource/sport-in-the-cold-war/episode-04-football-and-religion-in-italy