Christopher Warner: Playing For Keeps
One Night Only Virtual Event
January 22nd l 7PM CST
Virtual Author Talk with Christopher Warner
Do not miss your chance to hear journalist, former international athlete, and Playing for Keeps author Christopher Warner pull back the curtain on one of the most politically charged eras during the final years of the Cold War. Drawing on both his reporting expertise and firsthand experience as a competitor, Warner reveals how rising global tensions shaped elite training, intentional competition, and the life of athletes who suddenly became symbols of national strength and pride.
He will share memorable stories from the international sports world, offer a glimpse into the tightly run programs behind the Iron Curtain, and reflect on how competition in that era carried meaning far beyond the finish line.
If you are fascinated by history ,sports, or the hidden forces that shaped both, this is a conversation you will want to experience firsthand. Join us for a compelling talk that brings a pivotal era to life.
Price: Free for members, $10 for non-members
Where: Zoom (link will be provided at registration)
Legendary Athletes During The Cold War
The Cold War is a particularly interesting topic for me, with many fascinating chapters. Prior to becoming a writer, I competed internationally in the decathlon and bobsled — experiences that gave me a somewhat unique perspective on how sports were used as a propaganda tool, especially for athletes from the Soviet Union and East Germany.
It is also worth noting that both male and female athletes were prominently depicted in their propaganda posters in a way that made the Soviet system far more progressive in promoting women's sports than its American counterparts at the time. This also speaks to a desire to dominate sports on a global stage in EVERY category at all costs. Whether hitting home runs, scoring touchdowns, or breaking world records, these superstars were a rare breed. But they would also prove their mettle in
a different arena, taking part in some of the biggest battles in history.
-Christopher Warner
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