Sports History is designed to help students new to this area of study by providing them with guidance on the ideas, theories and methods that they need in order to excel as sports historians. Using examples from many sports and academic traditions, and featuring a glossary and many practical exercises and activities, this essential introduction will help students become more sophisticated and professional in their engagement with sports history.

History records that the Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece nearly three thousand years ago, died out around 393 AD, and were triumphantly reborn in 1896, in the Greek capital of Athens. Rather less well known is how, during the intervening centuries, an assortment of British writers, romantics, sportsmen and visionaries helped nurture that revival. Indeed, as sports historian Dr Martin Polley argues in this, the 12th book in the acclaimed Played in Britain series, our nation s fascination with all things Olympian has played a pivotal role in shaping the Games as we know them today,...