Esporte, geopolítica e relações internacionais

Abstract

This article’s goal is to analyse possible interactions between sport, geopolitics and international relations. Based on an exploratory qualitative study, it combines the bibliographic and documentary approaches from different sources and countries of origin. Since the Ancient Olympics, in 776 BC, there has been a close correlation between sport practices and geopolitical interests. Over time, such approaches became even more clear, dictating the organizations responsible for sports mega-events’ decision-making, and having Nations’ promoting the infrastructure built for sports’ through the concept of soft-power. Although the use of sport as a geopolitical and international relations’ tool is clear, counterbalanced and dialogical analysis must be carried out in order to make certain relativization on the sport phenomenon feasible.