Beyond the Field: The Role of Sport in Soft Power and Global Diplomacy
Ekecheiria - Olympic Truce In an increasingly multipolar world, power is no longer exercised solely through military strength or economic dominance. Perception, storytelling, and the capacity to attract large, international audiences all impact influence. Sport has become a strategic tool of statecraft in this changing environment, functioning at the nexus of public involvement, international relations, and geopolitics. Sport as Soft Power Infrastructure The idea of soft power, defined as a state's ability to affect the preferences of others by attraction rather than force (Nye, 2004), serves as the foundation for this transition. Sport is a particularly powerful venue for such impact. Its universal appeal allows it to transcend political, cultural, and linguistic borders, resulting in common emotional experiences that influence how nations are seen internationally. Sport, in contrast to traditional diplomacy, which is sometimes state-centric, is strongly related to public diploma...