Behind the political scenes of world sports: the USSR and international sports organizations in the second half of the 20th century

Abstract

The 20th century was marked by the active introduction of politics into big sport, the targeted use of athletes and their achievements for political purposes. After the Second World War, the USSR began to position itself as a great sports power, and Soviet athletes were tasked with winning in international sports arenas and setting world records for the glory of their Motherland. At the same time, in order to participate in the World and European Championships and the Olympic Games, the USSR's membership in official international sports organizations (ISO) was required. Issues related to the entry of the Soviet Union into these organizations, the struggle for influence in them, the participation of the USSR in the development of the international sports movement and the determination of its main directions became important elements of Soviet policy in the second half of the twentieth century.