While the Olympic Games are about sports competition, medals, and glory, the Games go far beyond sports as well. They inspire millions of viewers, symbolizing unity, resilience, teamwork, and the human spirit across continents, cultures, and generations.

To kick off the 2024 Summer Olympics, here are some must-read books on the Libby app that dive deeper into the champions, history, controversies, and more.

Inspirational stories and memoirs

Courage to Soar by Simone Biles
🎧 Audiobook

The official autobiography from four-time Olympic gold-winning and record-setting American gymnast Simone Biles, Simone shares how her faith, family, passion, and perseverance has made her one of the top athletes and gymnasts in the word.

Just Add Water by Katie Ledecky
🎧 Audiobook

A candid and inspiring memoir from Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and one of the best swimmers ever to compete.

Unstoppable! by Maggie Nichols
🎧 Audiobook

Maggie Nichols’s official memoir is an inspirational tell-all about the abuse she suffered under the U.S. national gymnastics team and how she managed to redefine herself in the face of adversity.

Breaking the Surface by Greg Louganis

A haunting, searingly candid memoir of the swimmer’s journey to overcome homophobia, colorism, and disability to become one of the best Olympic athletes in the world.

Age Is Just a Number by Dara Torres and Elizabeth Weil
🎧 Audiobook

A truly self-made legend, Torres’ story will resonate with women of all ages—and with anyone daring to entertain a seemingly impossible dream.

We Share the Sun by Sarah Gearhart

Explore the remarkable lives and stories of East African runners whose stories are seldom shared.

Faster than Lightning by Usain Bolt

Usain tells his story in his own words: from humble beginnings in Jamaica to international stardom at Beijing and on to new heights of superstardom he has reached since lighting up London in 2012.

Far Beyond Gold by Sydney McLaughlin
🎧 Audiobook

Olympic and World champion hurdler Sydney McLaughlin shares her personal story of struggles and victories, of faith and transformation.

Analyzing the Olympics

Championship Behaviors: A Model for Competitive Excellence in Sports by Hugh McCutcheon
🎧 Audiobook

The authors provide a proven framework for competitive excellence based in motor learning, psychology, and decades of coaching experience and success.

Sport History in the Digital Era by Gary Osmond and Murray G. Phillips

A timely and provocative affirmation of how the information revolution has transformed sport and sport history—while also showing the road ahead.

How to Watch the Olympics by David Goldblatt and Johnny Acton

An utterly thorough and always fun guide to the rules, strategy, and history of each sport.

Scandal, controversy, and politics

Munich 1972: Tragedy, Terror, and Triumph at the Olympic Games by David Clay Large

Large interweaves the political drama surrounding the 1972 Games with the athletic spectacle in the arena of play, itself hardly free of controversy.

No Boston Olympics: How and Why Smart Cities Are Passing on the Torch by Chris Dempsey and Andrew Zimbalist

A play-by-play account of how No Boston Olympics rallied Massachusetts residents to reject an Olympic bid and what that may mean for future host cities.

Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games by Tom and Jerry Caraccioli

With a thorough exploration of the political climate of the time, this book describes the repercussions of Jimmy Carter’s American boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

Diversity and Inclusion

Course Correction: A Story of Rowing and Resilience in the Wake of Title IX by Ginny Gilder

Gilder’s story personalizes the impact of Title IX, illustrating the life-changing lessons learned in sports but felt far beyond the athletic arena.

The Tigerbelles: Olympic Legends from Tennessee State by Aime Alley Card

Card relays a multi-layered inspirational tale of triumph over adversity. Based on memoirs and interviews with surviving team members, including Coach Temple, this is the story of an impossible dream come true.

The Revolt of the Black Athlete by Harry Edwards

Incisive yet ultimately hopeful, The Revolt of the Black Athlete is the still-essential study of the conflicts at the interface of sport, race, and society.

The Forgotten Legacy of Stella Walsh by Sheldon Anderson

A pioneer in women’s sports, Walsh was one of the first globetrotting athletes, running in meets all over North America, Europe, and Asia. While her accomplishments are undeniable, Walsh’s legacy was called into question after her murder in 1980.

Victory in the Pool: How a Maverick Coach Upended Society and Led a Group of Young Swimmers to Olympic Glory by Bill George

The ultimate underdog story of a swim coach who could not swim, a swim club that accepted minorities when others would not, and a group of young swimmers who became Olympic champions.

For the youngest Olympic viewers

What Are the Summer Olympics? By Gail Herman

The basics for understanding the international extravaganza.

Olympic GOATs by Bruce Berglund
🎧 Audiobook

Read more about some of the legends of the Olympic Games and see if you agree that they’re the greatest of all time.

Ancient Greece and the Olympics by Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce

What did the ancient Greeks wear? What did they do for fun? Where were the very first Olympics held? How are our modern Olympics like the ancient Olympics? Find out the answers to these questions and more.

Sisters and Champions by Howard Bryant

An inspiring picture book sports biography about two of the greatest female tennis players of all-time.

*Title availability may vary by library & region.

Keep the spirit of the Games alive even after the Olympic flame has been extinguished by borrowing these books on the Libby app.

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