Routledge Handbook of Sports Diplomacy

This is the first book to explore the full breadth and depth of the emerging discipline of sports diplomacy. This is an essential reference for any advanced student, researcher, policy-maker or practitioner with an interest in the politics of sport, the history of sport and sport governance.

This is the first book to explore the full breadth and depth of the emerging discipline of sports diplomacy. Rooted in a definition of ‘diplomacy’ that focuses on negotiation, representation and communication, this book examines the increasingly important role that sport plays in the diplomatic practices of international relations, and the part played by an increasing range of key actors involved including states, athletes, international organisations, NGOs and governing bodies of sport at national, regional and international levels. This book introduces the key concepts and theoretical frameworks that shape our understanding of sports diplomacy, and also reflects a range of research methodologies in sports diplomacy befitting the wide-ranging experiences of the contributing authors. Acknowledging that sports diplomacy is a practitioner-informed discipline, it traces the history of sports diplomacy and explores the key themes that define contemporary sports diplomacy, from great power and small state diplomacy to athlete perspectives, human rights, mega-events and cultural diplomacy. This book further presents a series of detailed case studies that illuminate our understanding of sports diplomacy in action, including chapters focusing upon the 2022 Men’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. This is an essential reference for any advanced student, researcher, policy-maker or practitioner with an interest in the politics of sport, the history of sport, sports governance, international relations, geopolitics, international organisations or public policy.