American and Korean soldiers perform a joint training exercise in advance of the PyeongChang Games.

American and Korean soldiers perform a joint training exercise in advance of the PyeongChang Games.

Dave Zirin, host of Edge of Sports, is one of the most astute sportswriters around. He’s also one of the most skeptical. Particularly about the Olympics.

In 2016, Zirin wrote a book called “Brazil’s Dance with the Devil: The World Cup, the Olympics, and the Fight for Democracy” about the negative repercussions of the Rio Games. Zirin argues that every Olympics sit on these three pillars — debt, displacement and the militarization of public spaces. He doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to the problems with the Olympics. But he’s also a sucker for the thrill of victory and agony of defeat.

Listen to the rest of the show!

This is just one segment from an entire episode! Click here to explore the Olympics Extravaganza, including interviews with commentator Lauren Shehadi, host of The Podium, and ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates.

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Thanks for listening, pals! ‘Til next time…keep listening, America.

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