On Sport and Diplomacy: On the Occasion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup

Sport diplomacy is now an integral part of the wider “soft power” paradigm utilized by countries to promote their own appeal. At the same time, just like any other kind of diplomacy, sport diplomacy is expected to act as a means of preventing armed conflict. That has been the noble goal of sports throughout history. The Olympic Games were originally a symbol of peace. However, revived by Pierre de Coubertin in the late 19th century,...