The Golden Age of Sport Respectability: The Post-war Period

Sport had fulfilled almost all the state’s requirements and expectations from the pre-war period, and the sharp criticism that had been directed at sport still in the 1930s was no longer heard. Time and again, sport was praised for its ability to further consensus, bring people together, increase public health, inspire societal loyalty and foster the youth. Behind this reinforcement of credibility lay above all exercise sport, but the elitist competitive sport also gained increased appreciation for its ability to consolidate the Swedish national identity. Another crucial factor was the effort sport made to meet politicians’ and public debaters’ requirements of respectability.