«The stars of sport become figures in public discourses about moralities, lifestyles and values. [...] This impressive collection, comprising contributors who have been central to analysis of these processes over many years, is an indispensible guide to the place of the sport hero, celebrated or reviled, in contemporary culture.» (Garry Whannel, Professor of Media Cultures and Director of the Research Institute for Media Art and Design at the University of Bedfordshire, UK and author of ‘Culture, Politics, and Sport’)«Unlike celebs from other spheres of culture, athletes are also expected to be heroes and role models. This increases the likelihood that they will disappoint fans and fall from favor. The insightful articles in this collection explain the dynamics and consequences of this rise and fall process and help us better understand celebrity culture and the role of sport in society.» (Jay Coakley, Professor Emeritus, University of Coloradp. Colorado Springs and author of ‘Sports in Society: Issues and Controversies’)«The breadth, depth and global reach of these essays compel us to say to our fallen heroes, ‘Our nations turn our cynical and forever disappointed eyes from you.’ But they also make clear that we will engage in a perpetual quest to create new heroes as we worship one of the most powerful institutions on this planet – sport.» (Mary Jo Kane, Professor of Sport Sociology and Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, University of Minnesota)«This collection is a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories of many of the world’s most famous athletes, their rise and especially their fall. A diverse set of lively scholars examine the underside of sport celebrities, those stories that seem «more than we wanted to know” about a star but can't put down. The result is a garden of earthly disasters and delights that will captivate any close observer of sports. [...] Game on!» (Michael Real, Professor of Communication and Culture, Royal Roads University, Canada and author of Super Media and Exploring Media Culture)
