Sport as a Facilitator of Positive International Relations

Year 2016, Volume 4 (Special Issue 3), 843 - 851, 22.12.2016

Robert C. Schneıder

Abstract

Through improved international relations, sport can facilitate the positive resolution of
contemporary global problems (Valeryevich, 2015). Not being deterred by negatives
associated with sport such as anti-social behaviors (Marasescu, 2013), government’s
promotion of harmful agendas through propaganda (Clark, 2005; Bairner, 2009), and
persistence in the interest of promoting good through sport is especially important. A
convenient facilitator of positive relations, sport resonates across peoples and governments
regardless of the present state of relationships. Whether it be a dire economy, racial division,
or even war, sport may suffer interruption but eventually it continues (Tope, 2008). As a
shared international activity, sport can promote goodwill between nations through interactions
(Tomlinson & Young, 2011) that form friendships, loyalties, and bonds (Darnell, 2010;
Darnell & Black, 2011) that are developed among persons representing different nations. A
mutually beneficial sharing and understanding of culture between international sporting event
host nations and guests, results from interactions (Canavan, 2016), which can reinforce
national identity (Field, 2014; Gorokhov, 2015; Lenger & Schumacher, 2015), yet also create
positive impressions between persons across nations. If global citizens maintain an open mind
and optimism, sport, as a facilitator can, in fact, enhance international relations.

Keywords

Athletes, nationalism, politics, globalization, sporting community

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