Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 454-475 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Sport in History |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
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Keywords
- history
- British Commonwealth Games
- Edinburgh
- political identity
- national identity
- competition
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The Edinburgh 1970 British Commonwealth Games: representations of identities, nationalism and politics. / Skillen, Fiona; McDowell, Matthew.
In: Sport in History, Vol. 34, No. 3, 2014, p. 454-475.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Edinburgh 1970 British Commonwealth Games: representations of identities, nationalism and politics
AU - Skillen, Fiona
AU - McDowell, Matthew
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - This paper examines the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, held in Edinburgh. It discusses the marketing, ceremonial presentation, and iconography of an event dubbed ‘the Friendly Games’ by Prince Philip, but one that nevertheless had its share of boycott threats and political intrigue. The iconography of these events is placed within the context of Scottish national and political identity, as the presentation of the event – controversially, in some quarters – utilised Balmoral-esque ‘Scottish’ tropes, including tartan Scottish team uniforms, and the copious use of ‘Scottish’ music, imagery and literature in the media and ceremonial elements of the Games. It examines the marketing of the 1970 Games, inclusive of: sponsorship and advertising, the creation of a mascot and logo, and songs. The ceremonial elements of the competition, including the participation of the royal family, opening and closing ceremonies, stamps and medals, and the arrangements surrounding these events and objects are considered. This piece also briefly examines the context of Scottish/British domestic politics, as well as wider contemporary tensions related to ex-Empire nations' participation.
AB - This paper examines the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, held in Edinburgh. It discusses the marketing, ceremonial presentation, and iconography of an event dubbed ‘the Friendly Games’ by Prince Philip, but one that nevertheless had its share of boycott threats and political intrigue. The iconography of these events is placed within the context of Scottish national and political identity, as the presentation of the event – controversially, in some quarters – utilised Balmoral-esque ‘Scottish’ tropes, including tartan Scottish team uniforms, and the copious use of ‘Scottish’ music, imagery and literature in the media and ceremonial elements of the Games. It examines the marketing of the 1970 Games, inclusive of: sponsorship and advertising, the creation of a mascot and logo, and songs. The ceremonial elements of the competition, including the participation of the royal family, opening and closing ceremonies, stamps and medals, and the arrangements surrounding these events and objects are considered. This piece also briefly examines the context of Scottish/British domestic politics, as well as wider contemporary tensions related to ex-Empire nations' participation.
KW - history
KW - British Commonwealth Games
KW - Edinburgh
KW - political identity
KW - national identity
KW - competition
U2 - 10.1080/17460263.2014.931291
DO - 10.1080/17460263.2014.931291
M3 - Article
VL - 34
SP - 454
EP - 475
IS - 3
ER -