Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: New Books Network
Episode: Todd Cleveland, "Africa and the Olympics: Winning Away from the Podium" (Ohio UP, 2024)
Date: February 7, 2026
Host: Dr. Miranda Melcher
Guest: Dr. Todd Cleveland

Episode Overview

This episode explores Dr. Todd Cleveland’s book, Africa and the Olympics: Winning Away from the Podium, which investigates the history, politics, and unique impacts of African nations’ participation in the Modern Olympic Games. Far from focusing solely on medal counts, the conversation reveals the profound ways African athletes and states have “won”—in building national identity, promoting sovereignty, influencing global politics (especially around apartheid), and empowering individuals—sometimes without even reaching the podium.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins: Why Write this Book?

• [02:56] Dr. Cleveland, trained in African and sports history, merged his passions to create curricula around African sports, eventually leading to this broader study of Africa’s relationship with the Olympics.

  "I started a project years ago... on African soccer migrants to Portugal during the colonial period. I wanted to see if this sort of held in the Olympic Games."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [03:42]

• Initial ideas focused on colonial-era tensions (athletes competing for colonizer nations), but the research’s scope grew to encapsulate the broader African Olympic experience.

2. Early African Participation & the Role of the Olympics in Decolonization

• [06:11] African colonies fielded Olympic teams (e.g., Nigeria in 1956), often organized via local fundraising and usually led by white European coaches.

• Participation, even without medals, instilled pride and eroded colonial myths of European superiority.

  "These athletes...feeding the swelling pride that's going to ultimately result in decolonization."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [08:10]

• Pre-independence participation (notably Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa) contributed to confidence and belief in self-governance.

• For South Africa, after two Black athletes in 1904, only white athletes participated until 1992.

3. Nation-Building, Nationalism, and Unity through Sport

• [10:21] Newly independent nations—struggling with arbitrary colonial borders and diverse populations—used sports, especially the Olympics, to craft national identity and unify peoples.

  "Early leaders believe very strongly as utilizing sport as a tool for national unity, especially in the early days of independence..."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [11:12]

• "We're all in this together" extended both within countries and collectively across African nations.

4. Pan-African Solidarity and Political Leverage: Apartheid & Boycotts

a) The Campaign to Ban Apartheid South Africa

• [12:55] Post-independence, African nations campaigned vigorously to ban apartheid South Africa from international events.

• Global indifference prevailed until graphic violence (e.g., Sharpeville, Soweto massacres) shifted opinions.

• African activism (e.g., Dennis Brutus risking his life) was pivotal; the IOC resisted, often hiding behind an "apolitical" façade.

  "The IOC used for cover...the idea that there's no room for politics in the Olympics, which is of course absurd."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [15:37]

• Eventual bans represented a major (non-podium) victory for African diplomacy and solidarity.

b) Rhodesia: Parallels and Differences

• [17:18] Also a white minority regime, but unlike South Africa, Rhodesia sent mixed-race athletes, complicating efforts to ban them.
• Similar global campaign ultimately successful.

c) The Unexpected Case: New Zealand

• [19:16] African nations sought to ban New Zealand for maintaining rugby ties with South Africa despite apartheid.

• Sparked the tumultuous 1976 Montreal boycott: some African nations participated; many withdrew.

• Though New Zealand continued at the Games, the movement pressured them to eventually sever sports ties with South Africa.

  "Ordinary New Zealanders are shocked...thinking we didn't do anything wrong. This has nothing...to do with the Olympics."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [22:13]

• Another example of political influence beyond the medal count.

5. "Winning Away from the Podium": Beyond Medals—Building Individuals and Societies

a) Intangible Benefits for Countries and Citizens

• [23:51] Participation in the Olympics, and especially the visibility of female athletes, empowers marginalized groups.

• Success stories forge national pride and unity in ways less seen in larger or older states.

  "These sort of intangible things...still very important...instilling pride and empowerment in African communities and individuals."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [24:12]

b) African Athletes Leveraging Fame for Good

• [26:27] Many top East African runners, particularly from Kenya, use prize money and fame to create local foundations—funneling resources into community programs, sports tourism, and social development.

  "Most of the money is being reinvested locally...especially where long distance running is at the epicenter."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [27:28]

c) Benefits for Athletes Themselves

• [27:55] While commercial rewards are limited, Olympic fame in African countries confers outsized social status and influence.

• Many athletes come from humble backgrounds and channel their achievements into philanthropic and regional improvements.

  "If someone from an African country wins the medal, that person—every person in the country will know who that is."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [29:19]

6. Reflections, Surprises, and Remaining Challenges

• [30:01] Dr. Cleveland discovered the depth of resistance to African causes within the IOC, especially under President Avery Brundage, highlighting the persistence of white, conservative, Euro-American leadership.

• Despite the adversity, African collective action overcame entrenched opposition—a testament to their resilience and achievement.

  "When it came time to make decisions, power was maintained within a very, very small circle of Europeans and Americans."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [30:43]

• On a lighter note, Dr. Cleveland shares fond memories of research trips—especially to the Olympic archives in Lausanne, Switzerland.

7. Next Projects

• [33:58] Dr. Cleveland is working on a history of tourism in the Seychelles (expanding his interests in sports, recreation, and tourism).
• He shares the delight of conducting research in scenic, resource-rich and well-equipped environments.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "These athletes...fed the swelling pride that's going to ultimately result in decolonization."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [08:10]

• "Early leaders believe very strongly as utilizing sport as a tool for national unity..."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [11:12]

• "The IOC used for cover...the idea that there's no room for politics in the Olympics..."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [15:37]

• "Most of the money is being reinvested locally...especially where long distance running is at the epicenter."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [27:28]

• "If someone from an African country wins the medal, that person—every person in the country will know who that is."
  — Dr. Todd Cleveland [29:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Topic | Timestamp | | --------------------------------------------------- | ---------- | | Dr. Cleveland’s background & genesis of the book | 02:56 | | Early African Olympic participation | 06:11 | | Sports as nation-building post-independence | 10:21 | | Anti-apartheid struggle in Olympic sports | 12:55 | | Rhodesia and sporting bans | 17:18 | | New Zealand’s rugby ties & the 1976 boycott | 19:16 | | Athlete empowerment and foundations | 26:27 | | Impact and fame for African Olympians | 27:55 | | IOC conservatism and African resilience | 30:01 | | Dr. Cleveland’s new projects | 33:58 |

Final Words

This episode goes far beyond medal tallies, revealing the crucial, sometimes non-obvious ways the Olympics have shaped post-colonial Africa. From nation-building to global advocacy against racism and apartheid, African athletes and states have amassed victories that echo well beyond the podium. Dr. Cleveland’s work—rich in nuance, original research, and storytelling—invites us all to rethink what winning at the Olympics truly means.

Further reading:
Africa and the Olympics: Winning Away from the Podium by Todd Cleveland (Ohio University Press, 2024)

Thank you to Dr. Todd Cleveland and Dr. Miranda Melcher for an insightful conversation.