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The Secret Olympian: The inside story of the Olympic experience
 
 

The Secret Olympian: The inside story of the Olympic experience [Kindle Edition]

Anon
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

Print List Price: £8.99
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Product Description

Review

Wonderful ... an Olympic-standard writer (Financial Times)

An irresistible proposition ... an insight into the life and mindset of a professional athlete. Anon shows us something more real: the myths, absurdity, frailty and futility that are the constant companions of the all or nothing, four yearly bid for sporting immortality (Guardian)

An interesting, insightful examination of the experience of being an Olympic athlete (Independent on Sunday)

A first-hand expose of the Olympic experience written in an enjoyable easygoing style (Sport)

A well written, thoughtful and constantly illuminating look at what it's like to take part in the Olympic Games (Daily Mail)

The beauty of this book is not in trying to unmask the writer but in becoming immersed in a journey usually taken by the privileged, and exceptional, few ... It's uplifting, sobering and often surreal (Evening Standard)

Reveals just how much fun goes on in the Games (Independent)

Compelling ... If you want to know what it's truly like to be an Olympic athlete, there has probably never been a better explanation (Sunday Express)

Book Description

The Secret Olympian exposes the truth of what goes on at the Olympic Games. Shocking, funny and slightly tongue in cheek, a former Olympian reveals the world of the Olympic athlete - and, behind the scenes, what a bizarre world it is....

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 1931 KB
  • Print Length: 224 pages
  • Publisher: A&C BLACK (10 May 2012)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B0085LUBLY
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #56,922 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars where are the secrets ??? 28 July 2012
Format:Paperback
This book is a light and easy read, which I enjoyed. But I can't say I found any great revelations. I don't think too many readers would be the slightest bit surprised by anything in this book - indeed most of the contents are what most readers would assume.

Yes of course it is difficult to be selected for Team GB. (Does anyone like the label Team GB, although that isn't the fault of the author?) Yes there is a lot of GB kit handed out. Yes the run-up to the events is stressful for the athletes. Yes the atmosphere in the Olympic village changes - it is clear to anyone that 95% of the athletes have no realistic prospect of obtaining a medal and once your event is over there is nothing to do but support others and party. And yes of course the greatest fuss is made of those who win gold, or at least some medal.

The most interesting and thoughtful part of the book comes at the end, when discussing the post-Olympic blues (my description, not the author's) and the difficulty of deciding whether to retire. A person has to be unbalanced to a degree to have the necessary committment to be an Olympic athlete. I would have liked to read more on this complex topic, and how athletes cope post-Olympics.

I have not researched who is the author - it may be widely known - but there is nothing in the book which compels this to be a secret in any way. I suspect the secrecy is just part of the marketing hype, which irritates somewhat. I would like to know the sport of the author, to understand what may be bias in place, and I see no reason for the sport not to be revealed.

Based on some minor clues my guess is the author was a rower or sculler. But there are some indications to the contrary which I suspect are deliberate to put readers like me off the scent.
... Read more ›
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Tediously superficial 2 Nov 2012
By Bella
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
When I bought this, I was after a light-hearted read and thus adjusted my expectations accordingly. Sadly, this book made the back of a cereal packet sound more in-depth. Tediously superficial, with no real insight into the world of Olympic sport (apart from the usual trite stuff about hard work and sacrifice) and it does not do the sporting world any favours.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars If you enjoyed the Olympics; you'll enjoy this 28 Oct 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
A fascinating insight into what it is like to be an Olympic athlete written by someone who was there. It consists of personal observations by the anonymous athlete interspersed with quotes from interviews with other athletes.

It is mostly set in the Greek Olympics of 2008 but there are stories from earlier Olympics.

I enjoyed the chronological layout, the selection process, the training, the Olympics, the event and what next (a difficult time).

This was an impulse purchase for me but I'm really glad I did buy it; it kept my interest and I learnt lots of interesting things!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Lots of hype, little substance 27 Sep 2012
By TheMuir
Format:Paperback
I decided to purchase this book after hearing the 'Secret Olympian' on 5 Live prior to the 2012 games.

It promises much, but I am afraid it left me cold. Possible its best feature is that in being only 214 pages it doesn't take long to get through! All the promise of major revelations, etc just don't materialise in the book. Quotes focus on perhaps 10 former Olympians (of varying levels of ability and fame). The insight into the Olympic Village was dull.

On the plus point the book gives a decent overview of what Olympians put themselves through to reach the pinnacle of their sport and I found that part of the book interesting.

But if you are hoping for sordid tales, blockbuster revelations, intrigue and gossip - you'll be deeply disappointed.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the Olympics 16 July 2012
By Russell
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Fascinating insight into the olympic experience for competitors. Not as scandal-filled as the title might lead you to hope, but it is packed with interesting and amusing anecdotal comments from a wide range of competitors.

Well written, easy to read and entertaining throughout.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By AJW81
Format:Paperback
I read this book in 3 days - couldn't put it down.

The author has interviewed Olympians who competed in many different games, from 1968 (Mexico City) onwards, in many different sports (Fencing, Rowing, Hockey etc), meaning the book is accessible to anyone interested in sport.

Funny in parts, touching in others and peppered with anecdotes from the authors own and others Olympic experiences the book allows you to see the Olympics from the perspective of those who compete in it, rather than just watch it like most of us mortals.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Great look at life behind the scenes 3 Jun 2012
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was very keen to read this (as a self confessed athletics nut) and it did not disappoint....in fact, I read it in one go on a long flight, unable to put it down (despite having work to do!). We get a full range of experiences from the Secret Olympian , both pre and post Games, and also get to hear of named and unnamed fellow Olympians' views on the Games, preparation and selection politics. Interesting to hear the different viewpoints of competitors at both historic and more recent Games, as well. i thought I knew who the secret Olympian is/was - but his descriptions of his own experience are suitably vague so as to leave a doubt........great read. Good luck to him, whoever he is(!).
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The Competitor's Experience 15 May 2012
By Shane
Format:Paperback
I second that! The book helps you to imagine each step of the way to the Olympics, wittily describing the tension, fears and emotions through his own and many other interviewee's perspective and then rounds it out with informed speculation of why so many want to do so much for so little.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars "Aeint what did you dooo?"
"For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. Read more
Published 23 days ago by Joseph Haschka
4.0 out of 5 stars Back of house
This book is for anyone who has wondered what else happens at the Olympics. I really enjoyed a human perspective of what it was like in and around the games v for an athlete that... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Robert Owen Mace
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun read with interesting thoughts to take away
This is a decent read and not at all heavy. However, there are insights into elite sport that can be applied to elite just about anything that give it an extra star in my book.
Published 5 months ago by Phillip J Apel
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting insights, but no good reason for anonymity
I'm not sure why this book's author wanted to remain anonymous. Perhaps he's a particularly shy individual. Perhaps he felt it would threaten his future career. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Dr. Simon Howard
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
This is an amazing story - I just wish I had read it before the Olympics. Its funny and moving and just a great read. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Moshismummy
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!
I found the insights fascinating. Really interesting read about sporting elite and the grit behind the glamour. Read more
Published 9 months ago by FionaC
1.0 out of 5 stars You should not be an "Olympian"
Grece's "lastminute.com"? Well, try to build an entire underground system in a city plagued by earthqakes that if you had in the UK it will flatten 99. Read more
Published 10 months ago by George
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Arrived fast as you'd expect....half way through the book but so far a great read and so timely! Gripped and my girlfriend who doesn't even like the Olympics is gripped! Read more
Published 11 months ago by Rob
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