Sport in International Relations. Expectations, Possibilities and Effects

Michał Marcin Kobierecki

doi:10.2478/ipcj-2013-0004

Authors

Michał Marcin Kobierecki Department of Political Theory and Thought, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2478/ipcj-2013-0004

Keywords:

sport, politics, international relations, sport as a political tool

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show how sport can matter in international relations. Sport can be a subject or a tool of international relations. It can be used by states or geopolitical blocks to display their alleged superiority or any other desired characteristic. Governments may desire athletic victories, which are meant to imply, for example, the power of the state and its political and economic system. Participation in sport can also be used for political reasons on an international scale; a number of political objectives can be achieved by states by participating (or not) in sports events. Not only is sport affected by a country’s policies, but on certain occasions sports events can influence states.

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Author Biography

Michał Marcin Kobierecki, Department of Political Theory and Thought, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz

Michał Marcin Kobierecki graduated from Lodz University in June 2013 and was awarded PhD degree. His main areas of research are interactions between sports and politics, as well as policy on sport.

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