International Sports Research Articles

Perceptions of current support systems leading to international sporting success for South Africans

The purpose of the study was to examine the availability of elite sport support systems of South African National Sports Federations (NSFs) and their accessibility to athletes from historically disadvantaged areas (HDA). Twenty-one NSFs from Olympic sports participated in the study whereby they responded to a questionnaire on sports policy factors leading to sporting success (SPLISS). Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 27.0, IBM). Informed consent was obtained from all participants before the study commenced. The majority of the NSF’s respondents reported that there was an insufficiency of financial resources, scientific and research support services, and post-sport career support. They also reported overall moderate-to-high availability of governance, organisation and sport policy structure, sport facilities, and opportunities for international competitions/exposure. Financial resources, post-career and scientific support were the most frequently reported insufficiencies, with poorer support in HDAs for all of the nine pillars of support. Additional provision is required to ensure that support systems are inclusive of athletes from HDAs. Future research needs to continue the focus on providing more detailed data on the support systems accessible to elite athletes and coaches.

Sports Diplomacy and Propaganda in Turkish Foreign Policy in the Early Republican Period

Cultural diplomacy is the promotion of a nation’s unique heritage, manifesting itself in everything from art to cuisine, to achieve a state’s foreign policy goals. While the manifestations above are commonly invoked in summarizing Turkey’s cultural diplomacy over the last century, research focused on the role of sports in Turkish political history is scant. The Republic of Turkey has used sports as a tool of diplomacy and peacebuilding since its establishment following the First World War. This study outlines some of the Republic’s first forays into cultural diplomacy with sports by exploring Turkey’s participation in the Olympic games, use of sports as a tool for Turkish-Greek rapprochement, and use of sports in developing relations with the Soviet Union in the interwar period. Turkish State Archives, periodicals, and research studies were used as the main sources. The preliminary findings reveal that the efforts of the Republican period to develop diplomatic ties using international sports were achieved alongside the Republic’s foreign policy prerogatives in Central and Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, and neighboring countries. Notably, this study does not find that Turkey used athletics to construct similar diplomatic relationships with Western European nations, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

"Human resource management model of mega sporting events —— the Beijing Winter Olympics as an example"

With the accelerated pace of globalization, the frequency and number of major international sports events are gradually increasing. The human resource management model has also been considered in this context, playing a more important role. In order to discuss this issue in depth, this paper will take the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games as a case study, and discuss the changes and upgrades of HRM model in detail from the perspective of recruitment and management in human resources, from the surface way to the deep content. First of all, in the recruitment, Beijing Winter Olympic Games has a unique way of recruitment, through many media and Internet resources to promote the unprecedented effect. The mass adoption of recruitment on the Internet has attracted talents from all over the world to participate. Secondly, in the management, for the volunteers, due to the epidemic, a longer period of closed management was adopted, and the Beijing Winter Olympic Organizing Committee also focused on the psychological state of the staff and volunteers. In order to ensure people's life and living in a positive and effective way, in order to achieve a more efficient human management. In the end, the author summarizes the changes in the model of human resources management in the Winter Olympics, summarizes the characteristics of large international sporting events, refines the universal model with high feasibility, and summarizes the experience with the actual.

Hidden figures: Revisiting doping prevalence estimates previously reported for two major international sport events in the context of further empirical evidence and the extant literature.

High levels of admitted doping use (43.6% and 57.1%) were reported for two international sport events in 2011. Because these are frequently referenced in evaluating aspects of anti-doping, having high level of confidence in these estimates is paramount. In this study, we present new prevalence estimates from a concurrently administered method, the Single Sample Count (SSC), and critically review the two sets of estimates in the context of other doping prevalence estimates. The survey featuring the SSC model was completed by 1,203 athletes at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics (WCA) (65.3% of all participating athletes) and 954 athletes at the 2011 Pan-Arab Games (PAG) (28.2% of all participating athletes). At WCA, athletes completed both UQM and SSC surveys in randomised order. At PAG, athletes were randomly allocated to one of the two surveys. Doping was defined as "having knowingly violated anti-doping regulations by using a prohibited substance or method." Estimates with the SSC model for 12-month doping prevalence were 21.2% (95% CI: 9.69-32.7) at WCA and 10.6% (95% CI: 1.76-19.4) at PAG. Estimated herbal, mineral, and/or vitamin supplements use was 8.57% (95% CI: 1.3-16.11) at PAG. Reliability of the estimates were confirmed with re-sampling method (n = 1,000, 80% of the sample). Survey non-compliance (31.90%, 95%CI: 26.28-37.52; p < 0.0001) was detected in the WCA data but occurred to a lesser degree at PAG (9.85%, 95% CI: 4.01-15.69, p = 0.0144 and 11.43%, 95% CI: 5.31-11.55, p = 0.0196, for doping and nutritional supplement use, respectively). A large discrepancy between those previously reported from the UQM and the prevalence rate estimated by the SSC model for the same population is evident. Caution in interpreting these estimates as bona fide prevalence rates is warranted. Critical appraisal of the obtained prevalence rates and triangulation with other sources are recommended over "the higher rate must be closer to the truth" heuristics. Non-compliance appears to be the Achilles heel of the indirect estimation models thus it should be routinely tested for and minimised. Further research into cognitive and behaviour aspects, including motivation for honesty, is needed to improve the ecological validity of the estimated prevalence rates.

A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE COVID-19 PREVENTIVE MEASURES AT THE TOKYO 2020 AND BEIJING 2022 OLYMPIC GAMES

National and international sports are well recognized in the international Olympic movement. The Summer and Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games are the major global sporting events, uniting the entire world together for world peace. Managing the health and safety of athletes at these top sporting events is an important task. During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, sound organisational policies and effective preventive measures to protect athletes from infection at the Olympic Games were essential. Currently, there is not much information on the spread of COVID-19 infection in sports events and the effectiveness of preventive measures. The present study analyses the preventive measures for COVID-19 at Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The study is based on the official documents of the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee. It compares the COVID-19 spread and preventive measures taken by the organisers at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Unfair, Innocent, Flamed: Examining How the Chinese Public Perceived Sun Yang’s 8-Year Doping Sanction

International sport has always been associated with nationalism. The purpose of the study was to explore how Chinese media and the general public perceived the doping scandal of their national sports hero, Sun Yang. Through analyzing 11 Chinese media outlets’ coverage on Chinese social media Weibo, the results revealed that Chinese media covered Sun and his team’s reaction and perspectives on this issue more when compared with other news. The general public’s perceptions toward this scandal tended to be favorable toward Sun, with 55.5% of selected Weibo comments defending Sun after his 8-year ban for doping was handed down. The analysis of these social media comments posted by sports fans showed that the general public’s perceptions might have been impacted by their nationalism, international relations, and media coverage. In addition, the study revealed the Chinese public’s perceptions toward current antidoping regulations.

APPROACHES OF STRATEGIC SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN ROMANIAN SPORT

Sustainability has become a pressing concern for a wide range of organizations, including sports’ world governing bodies. This paper aims to examine the meaning of sustainability in the context of international sport federations and how the national federations succeed to implement social and environmental sustainability practices. The study explores the strategic priorities for sustainable development from the perspective of Romanian Football Federation for governing national sport and how they define a framework for Strategic Sustainable Development. We used a five-dimensional analytical framework to analyze the recent changes national federations have made regarding sustainability, concentrating on the Romanian Football Federation as an example of good practices. The paper aims to emphasize that planned efforts as part of a long-term sustainable development strategy in the field of sport must be considered high priority.

The Forgotten Legacy of Stella Walsh: The Greatest Female Athlete of Her Time

The Forgotten Legacy of Stella Walsh: The Greatest Female Athlete of Her Time

Android App for Sport Academy

Abstract: The idea of the app is to connect golf, cricket, kabaddi, kho-kho, holly ball, running, and many others players with coaches. And provides the all information about “INTERNATIONAL SPORT”. Provide facility to those students who want registered with academy and improve knowledge of about the sport. Providing information about the multiple “INTERNATIONAL SPORTS “sports player and all. If student registered for joining academy, they have to pay for training payment option is available for paying training fees. We provide training demo video for those students who want to join our academy Also provide all updates related to sport, ongoing and upcoming events information for those students who want play State level, National and International level.

Coping with the COVID-19 pandemic by Paralympic athletes preparing for elite sport events: A longitudinal study.

This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, coping styles and their relationship, and training opportunities in elite athletes with disabilities (AwD) preparing for national and international sport events during a ten-month observation period. The study covered four time points in 3-month intervals, one retrospective, and three times during the 10months of the pandemic period with diversified numbers of average new infections per day: A-pre-pandemic, B-third wave of the pandemic (mean=15 681), C-decrease of the pandemic (mean=102), and D-fourth wave of the pandemic (mean=22 591). Main outcome measures included the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The models regarding changes in anxiety (F(3,72) =22.43; p < 0.001; partial η2=0.48) and depression (F(3,72) =23.82; p < 0.001; partial η2 =0.50) over the four time points of examination were significant. The pattern of relationship between coping styles and mood changes during COVID-19 pandemic periods, that is, a sudden increase in anxiety during dynamic growth of infections (waves of a pandemic) and a steady increase in depression over the course of the pandemic was not found. The difference in planned and actual training decreased significantly over time (p < 0.001). During the transitionary times of the COVID-19 pandemic, both mental health and training opportunities of AwD were at increased risk. Individual coping styles used by AwD were insufficient resources to cope with the extreme stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their mental health should be monitored in pandemics and similar situations to ensure appropriate and timely organizational and psychological intervention.

Social perception and support – An international sports event from the perspective of the residents of the host city

AbstractWith the increase of international sports events in Hungary, their number, size, coverage, required investments, social impacts, the number of stakeholders, and people's involvement have also grown, while social support has bottomed out. How can we achieve social support? What are the factors that determine the perception of the residents of the organising city, thus, their social support? This question is answered by analysing the case of the European Youth Olympic Festival in Győr. The empirical research used quantitative methods, obtaining residents' opinions of international sports events before and after the event. The paper shows that a general positive opinion of international sports events is positively correlated with high levels of both spectator and participation sports consumption. Also, those who are personally satisfied with their quality of life generally support the organisation of international sports events and think positively of their impact. The level of satisfaction with life is correlated with satisfaction with the city and a positive opinion of its services. The regression model shows that personal involvement (e.g., interest, participation, and volunteering) is positively related to the evaluation of the impacts of sports events.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on German golf – a comparison between club-owned and commercial golf clubs

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the international sports world upside down almost overnight. Both professional and popular sports are suffering from the pandemic in equal measure. Sports clubs, which have to bear high fixed costs, are particularly affected. This also includes golf clubs. A primary empirical survey of German golf clubs shows that although the short term – during the lockdown – economic consequences were severe, especially for commercial golf clubs, the 2020 season can be considered successful. This could be an increased interest in exercise in nature and higher health awareness among the population. It is now crucial that golf clubs and associations focus even more intensely on nature (experiences) and health and develop them strategically.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on German golf – a comparison between club-owned and commercial golf clubs

The COVID-19 pandemic turned the international sports world upside down almost overnight. Both professional and popular sports are suffering from the pandemic in equal measure. Sports clubs, which have to bear high fixed costs, are particularly affected. This also includes golf clubs. A primary empirical survey of German golf clubs shows that although the short term – during the lockdown – economic consequences were severe, especially for commercial golf clubs, the 2020 season can be considered successful. This could be an increased interest in exercise in nature and higher health awareness among the population. It is now crucial that golf clubs and associations focus even more intensely on nature (experiences) and health and develop them strategically.

Impact of International Sports Event on Local Businesses: Insight from the Stallholders and Official Partners of the 2018 Asian Games

International mega sports events commanding massive public spending are expected to stimulate the economic development of the host country. This study aims to examine the impact of the 2018 Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang on local businesses, captured through the perspectives of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and official partners of the event. Primary data were collected through face-to-face survey administered using questionnaire during and after the event, yielding usable responses from 284 stallholders in Jakarta and Palembang venues and 19 official partners. The results show that the respondents hired additional workers during the event and they also generated additional sales, profit of which was partly used to scale up their businesses. However, future event can generate greater impact to local businesses with more effective socialization, simpler registration, and better stalls arrangements including more strategic location, better electricity and water supplies, and easier loading access to the venues.

Gendering strategic action fields in sports governance.

How do meso-level field relations shape the ways that sports organizations act on gender equality? In this paper, we approach international sports governance as comprised of meso-level fields of strategic action in which male dominance and relations of masculinity are centrally at stake. We focus on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), showing how the organization's efforts to address gender inequality are shaped by its relations with adjacent actors in the field. These actors jockey to form strategic coalitions as they struggle over the influence and resources to define the field configuration of international cycling, with challenges to the gendered status quo requiring careful management. Based on semi-structured interviews with individuals who held an elected or staff position within the UCI between 2005 and 2020, we show how field relations shaped the work of the UCI Women's Committee during this period as well as the experiences of women who succeeded in accessing decision-making roles. The UCI emerges in our analysis as a central governance unit via which the historical accumulation of advantage to men is preserved. We suggest that studying meso-level fields of strategic action can advance sociological research more broadly on how sports organizations are shaped by their contingent, dynamic, and (gender) unequal context.

International sport governing bodies as agents of diffusion-The case of World Athletics.

The current paper conceptualizes international sport governing bodies (ISGBs) as "agents of diffusion," whose key strategic interest is in the broadest participation in their sports. Our research examines the impact of a specific diffusion strategy, adopted by World Athletics in 2008, which was essentially the decentralization of decision-making power to license athletics events, and which aimed to increase the sports' visibility and accessibility, especially in previously underdeveloped markets like Africa. We evaluate these efforts' impact by analyzing data from the season's bests lists of World Athletics from 2001 to 2019. Therefore, we employ multilevel regressions. The results are complex but instructive. We find that the efforts were of limited success especially in target regions. Still, the strategy inspired more countries to invest in both hosting new events and sending athletes to new disciplines. However, our results cast some doubt about the sustainability of these efforts. The need for a better conceptualization of relevant domestic factors becomes evident. Furthermore, we find that diffusion strategies, which do not offer material incentives, are of limited efficacy.

Perceived Effects of Olympic Success on International Policies and Prestige: A Case Study of Sports Actors from Iran

For some nations where these events cannot be facilitated, Olympic success would be more significant. Governments often believe that winning medals enhances their image globally, which is their reason to invest and intervene in elite sports. Based on this belief, the researchers tried to determine how sports actors perceive the relationship between elite sporting success and prestige and its reflection on their related policies. To achieve this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Iranian sports officials and sport managers in charge of elite sports. The results identified four themes in interviewees' speeches related to the objective of the study, including (1) sporting success at the Olympic Games and international prestige, (2) fairness and international prestige, (3) sport and diplomatic relations, (4) media coverage and international prestige. Taken together, these results suggest that the concept of international prestige is notably essential when it comes to the country where the international image might not be positive toward that particular country. Sports as a soft power tool can play this role and build a positive image for that country in different ways. The findings contribute to elite sporting success, sports and country image research, sports international prestige, and sports diplomacy in Iran. Keywords: Olympic success

Same World Cup, Different News Frames

This study examined differences in slant, deviance, and prominence in news coverage of the 1998 France and 2002 S. Korea/Japan World Cup and host countries, considering countries’ political, economic, and cultural ties as external determinants of the newsworthiness of foreign news. The main findings were that hosting the World Cup did not influence the positive image of a host country or the degree of deviance and prominence of news; U.S. journalists’ preferences for topics covered in foreign news was found in World Cup-related host country news as well as general news of host countries; political, economic, and cultural ties between host countries and the United States were reflected in the general news of host countries; and news coverage of non-Western countries was significantly different in general news. Keywords: news frames of international sporting events, deviance, 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cup news, national images of South Korea, Japan, and France

The Role of Perceived Sports Competence and Sport Anxiety in Determining Self-Talk in Elite Athletes

The purpose of our research was to investigate the role of sport anxiety and perceived sports competence in determining the utilization of self-talk in elite athletes. Fifty six female (X̅age=24.62±3.40) and 65 male (X̅age=24.50±6.50); a total of 121 (X̅age=24.56±5.28) athletes who have at least three years of competitive experience and have previously represented Turkey with the national athlete title at international sports competitions were voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were given a personal information form along with the sports competence subscale of the physical self-description questionnaire which was developed by Marsh Richards, Johnson, Roche and Tremayne (1994) and adapted into Turkish by Marsh, Asci and Marco in 2002; the sport anxiety scale which was developed by Smith, Smoll, Cumming and Grossbard (2006) and adapted into Turkish by Akyol, Altintas, Sezer and Asci in 2016; the self-talk questionnaire which was developed by Zervas, Stavrou and Psychountaki (2007) for the purpose of determining athletes’ self-talk forms and was adapted into Turkish by Engur in 2011. After exploring a normally distributed data, the hierarchical regression analysis was used to determine the role of sports competence and sports anxiety in predicting the athletes' self-talk types. As a result of the research, statistically significant differences in both sports competence and self-talk usage levels were found between groups according to sport type and a statistically significant relationship was found in predicting motivational self-talk for both competition experience and sport type.

The Regulatory Space of Baseball: Is Global Regulation Needed to Govern the International Movement of Players?

Occupying baseball’s regulatory space are multiple regimes that govern global labour mobility and the international transfer of amateur and professional players. Professional leagues are the key regulatory actors in this space, non-state actors responsible for establishing the controls on a player’s labour mobility within the league and to foreign competitions. The dominant regulator in baseball is Major League Baseball (‘MLB’) that acts as a de facto international sports federation and custodian of baseball. This article uses regulatory space theory to explore how globalisation forced the increased interaction between professional baseball leagues around the world. Despite the subsequent accelerated evolution of the rules and processes governing the international movement of professional baseballers, the global regime primarily consists of bilateral player agreements involving either MLB or Nippon Professional Baseball (‘NPB’) and other professional leagues in Latin America and Asia. This article will analyse how this system of regulation created numerous problems in the recruitment and movement of amateur and professional players, most notably an exploitative labour system in Latin America that potentially violates various international human rights laws and led to the human trafficking of Cuban baseball players. In response to these regulatory failures the authors propose a number of urgent reforms to ensure the global regulation of labour mobility in baseball facilitates the movement of players in line with international human rights through a global player transfer system that includes independent dispute resolution and that is operated by an independent global regulator.