"You won't always agree with Dick Pound...but his 'no holds barred' approach to so many major issues will keep you reading all night long." —Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Sports and Olympics "The Olympic Games exist for the benefit of the athletes and not the IOC. Many IOC members still don't get it; however, Dick Pound [a former Olympic swimmer] certainly does. His unique view from inside the Olympic Movement is told in his usual straightforward manner, with his special blend of idelism and cynicism." —Brian williams, CBC, Veteran Broadcaster and Olympic Host "The only man who could have written this book has done it with candor and style. A lucid and penetrating look at the five-ringed world, filled with Dick Pound's customary insight, frankness and wit. Inside the Olympics wins gold, silver and bronze." —John Powers, Boston Globe "Pound takes us through the Olympic landscape with insight and opinion and on one of the biggest problems we all face: drugs in sport, he has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the good guys." —Sebastian Coe, OBE, double Olympic Gold 1500-meter champio "...an intriguing account of many of the scandals that have despoiled the event…" ( The Times , 16 December 2004) “…Pound details the bribery, doping, cheating and exploitation involved in the world’s most ‘golden’ business.” ( Fitness First Magazine , Autumn 2004) “…an interesting account of the recent history of IOC…” ( British Runner , October 2004) “…a good modern history of the Olympics…” ( Business Eye , August 2004) “…a powerful fascinating read and Pound does not pull his punches…” ( Time Out , 25 August 2004) “Pound digs deep into many controversial events and issues surrounding the Olympics” ( Athletics Weekly , 18 August 2004) “A fascinating, no –holds-barred look at just how the Olympics and their legacy have foundered” ( New Addington Advertiser , 13 August 2004) “…the ultimate Olympic insider lifts the lid on everything from drug scandals to political wranglings.” ( Northern Echo (North), 13 August 2004) “…a fascinating, no-holds-barred look at just how the Olympics and their legacy have foundered” ( Croydon Advertiser , 13 August 2004) “…well written…” ( Irish Independent (Dublin), 16 August 2004) “…his book is entertaining..” ( Aberdeen Press & Journal , 14 August 2004) “…brings an invigorating candour to a world in which officials have rivalled competitors for wrong doing.” ( The Independent (Review), 13 August 2004) “…brings an invigorating candour to a world in which officials have rivalled competitors for wrongdoing…” ( Independent , 13 August 2004) “…tells it like it is…a compelling read…” ( Nottingham Evening Post , 7 August 2004) “…a revealing and fascinating book.” ( Leicester Mercury , 3/8/04) “His insider knowledge informs his compelling book...” ( The Economist , 30/7/04) "You won't always agree with Dick Pound...but his 'no holds barred' approach to so many major issues will keep you reading all night long." —Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Sports and Olympics "The Olympic Games exist for the benefit of the athletes and not the IOC. Many IOC members still don't get it; however, Dick Pound [a former Olympic swimmer] certainly does. His unique view from inside the Olympic Movement is told in his usual straightforward manner, with his special blend of idelism and cynicism." —Brian williams, CBC, Veteran Broadcaster and Olympic Host "The only man who could have written this book has done it with candor and style. A lucid and penetrating look at the five-ringed world, filled with Dick Pound's customary insight, frankness and wit. Inside the Olympics wins gold, silver and bronze." —John Powers, Boston Globe "Pound takes us through the Olympic landscape with insight and opinion and on one of the biggest problems we all face: drugs in sport, he has always stood shoulder to shoulder with the good guys." —Sebastian Coe, OBE, double Olympic Gold 1500-meter champion EVERY TWO YEARS, WORLD ATTENTION TURNS TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES FOR A FEW SHORT WEEKS, IN A CELEBRATION OF ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE, COMPETITION, AND NATIONAL PRIDE. But in recent years, the Olympic ideal has also been tainted by scandals, greed, and corruption from bribery, to doping, cheating politics, and exploitation. Never shy of the issues, Pound reveals the full inside story both good and bad of the Games. He sheds a bright light on many controversial events and issues surrounding the Olympics, including the Salt Lake City bribery scandal, the figure sakting judging fiasco of the 2002 Winter Olymics, terrorism, human rights, the conduct of IOC and sports officials themselves, and the doping scandals that he considers the greatest threat to sports today. Since he competed as an Olympic athlete himself, Pound has witnessed and been party to enormous changes over almost half a century in the world of sport and politics, and has served under the leadership of four IOC presidents. He offers a fascinating look at negotiations in the hig