Sports as a Dynamic Force in the Development of Relations among Nations in Global Politics

Abstract

Sports are understood as one of the dynamic forces in developing national integrity among the masses creating national unity in the country; whereas sports diplomacy is referred when sport is used as a political means to improve relations and some times may worsen diplomatic relations between two nations. The intention is to bring about fundamental changes relating to fine relations. While the Olympics events are the leading political examples of using sports for diplomatic means, such as cricket, table tennis and football as well as other international sports competitions have also been used in this regard. In the case of Apartheid, competitive sport was used to isolate South Africa that brought major changes in nation's social structure in terms of socio- political relationship, examining the sports diplomacy which implemented Nelson Mandela of South Africa for national reconciliation, and Iran’s former President Khatami's inspiring initiative provided an opening for a watchful rapprochement policy with USA, favoring peoples mutual contacts between these two nations to release tensions developed between them that may be compared with Ping Pong diplomacy, which softened US-Chinese relations.