Dyplomacja sportowa. Sport jako arena prowadzenia dyplomacji międzynarodowej

Abstract

The article is devoted to the issue of diplomacy in sport. A theoretical analysis of this term has been carried out, taking into account its various possible scopes of meaning. Then, a selection of manifestations of diplomacy in sport have been presented, as a result of which types of sport-related actions typically referred to as diplomatic have been outlined. These include: promoting the fulfillment of foreign policy objectives through sport (e.g. establishing contacts in the field of sport in order to develop a closer relationship with a given country or to manifest a boycott), building a country’s positive image and international prestige (with the use of sport-related contacts, victories in sport, organisation of sport events, and, sometimes, participation in sport), and undertaking diplomatic actions by bodies from the sport sector. The thesis has also been formulated that the efficiency of diplomatic actions in sport usually depends on specific circumstances in which they were performed.