The Role Of Sports Diplomacy In Contemporary International Relations: A Case Study Of The Olympic Games

ABSTRACT Actors in the international system have and continue to use conventional diplomacy in interstate relations but have not always been successful in achieving their objectives. Recent times have seen sports utilized by actors as a soft power tool in diplomatic relations between states. Though it is often argued that sports and politics should not mix, the popularity and the socioeconomic nature of sports have gained the attention of states and international organizations in the international system. This study sought to examine the relationship between sports and international relations, by exploring sports diplomacy. Using the Olympic Games as a case study, the study explored how actors in international relations harnessed the platform provided by the Olympic Games to advance diplomatic initiatives. Among other things, the study, based on qualitative approach with interviews of persons from different backgrounds in diplomacy and the sports sector finds that participating in the various editions of the Olympic Games have presented nations the opportunity to exhibit their image across the globe and improve its relations with other nations. The study revealed that among the actors that engaged the Olympic Games for diplomatic purposes were North and South Korea at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. Among the manifestations of sports diplomacy that emerged from the activities of the above countries was the unification of the women’s ice hockey team for the first time in their history, as well as marching together under a unified Korean flag at the opening ceremony of the Games. The study also finds that sports have seen a vast transformation in contemporary times, shifting from the everyday form of exercise to a lucrative industry and this can largely be attributed to major sporting events such as the Olympic Games. On the basis of this, the study concluded that sports plays a key role in international relations and that indeed sports diplomacy is a critical component of the diplomatic platforms available in international relations. It was therefore recommended that Governments should prioritize sports in its foreign policies and assign some focus on harnessing international sporting events to promote their diplomatic objectives. Also, the IOC should put in place initiatives that would promote peaceful relations between warring nations or otherwise conflict regions. Thus, sports should be seriously considered by countries as an alternative form of diplomatic dialogue.