Olympic politics, intrigue and sports marketing history recounted in IOC insider's new book

Political pressure on Olympic officials, like in the case of the Ukraine skeleton racer’s memorial helmet at the Milan Cortina Games, is nothing new, according to a long-time IOC insider. Keeping North Korea engaged with South Korea’s hosting plans. More than four decades of Olympic intrigue and financial vision are recounted in “Fast Tracks and Dark Deals” by Michael Payne, the International Olympic Committee’s former marketing director.

By GRAHAM DUNBAR