John Nauright

The new sporting Cold War: implications of the Russian doping allegations for international relations and sport

Abstract This article examines current state of the new sporting cold war in the world of sports. It provides an examination of the 2014–2018 Russian doping scandal. Political and ideological prerequisites that triggered this scandal are considered, and based on obtained observations, an analysis of possible scenarios in the development of events is made as are recommendations for future progress in ending this unnecessary neo-cold war.

The complex world of global sport

The history of modern sport has been one of movement from local to regional, national and then global contexts. Colonialism has been a driving force behind the dissemination of modern sport around ...

Boosting ice hockey in China: political economy, mega-events and community

Abstract With Beijing winning the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, China has been actively boosting winter sports in the domestic market. This article briefly reviews the history of China’s ice hockey development and discusses the growth of ice hockey in China from the perspective of policies, the 2022 Winter Olympics and youth hockey athlete development models in Beijing. The conclusion of this study indicates that the national and local governments in China are taking measures to guarantee hockey development, and the 2022 Winter Olympics have brought huge opportunities for ice hockey in China. Long-term strategies, especially the strategies for the post-2022 Winter Olympic era need to be conducted. In addition, the family model, the professional and youth hockey clubs are efficient ways to maintain sustainable ice hockey development in China.

Beyond the reach of FIFA: football and community ‘development’ in rural South Africa, towards a politics of inclusion and sustainability

The real legacy of the 2010 World Cup is that people in the focus areas of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg–Tshwane may have received some benefit from infrastructural development while much of the rest of South Africa has fallen further behind those globally projecting conurbations. Though the literature on sport and community development is growing rapidly as is work on legacy and mega events, there are few studies that examine initiatives generated within local communities, particularly those located well away from the activities of international sport development agencies. In this paper, we examine a village football team in rural Mpondoland in the far reaches of the Eastern Cape located well away from the impact of World Cup football-related initiatives. We also explore activities of international sport development agencies. We examine the motivations of the players, the community role that football plays and how community-generated initiatives might be supported and nurtured with full involvement and democratic decision-making practices embedded into the operation of local sporting groups. Understanding the hurdles faced in resource-strapped communities will enhance discussion of the ways in which sporting development can be supported rather than imposed and become sustainable in the future.

American-British Sporting Rivalries and the Making of the Global Sports Industry

Abstract This article examines a key aspect of American sports history within a transnational context. Whilst the internal histories of American sport are exceedingly rich and voluminous, our general understanding of the nation’s contribution to the international, global scene is less well-known. The postcolonial rivalries between American and British sports communities fuelled the development of what became open, international cup competitions in such sports as tennis and golf which bolstered an emerging global industry in the first half of the twentieth century. The transnational process of initial American imitation and absorption of British models have been well documented within the scholarly literature and debates in American Studies for decades; however, the gradual reversal of this imitative process to a more reciprocal relationship has received far less attention (especially within sports history). The authors show how the Davis Cup competition is an example of the way in which Americans indigenised a cultural sporting import, namely tennis; created a nationalistic, international sporting competition; and effectively exported it back to Britain within the wider context of a burgeoning, imperial rivalry on the world stage between these two, rival sporting nations. This process not only expanded the worldwide consumption of sport but spreads a spirit of cultural emulation within twentieth-century global consumer culture. This transnational perspective also illuminates the thorough de-provincialising of the notion of “American Exceptionalism” within the field. When, for example, the respective imperial histories of the two nations are considered comparatively, the “American” story does not look so “exceptional” after all. Though American exceptionalism adapted some British sports to suit American sensibilities, the sporting cultures of the two nations and within their zones of influence remained similar in many respects. This was particularly true in amateur sports such as tennis, rowing and track and field (athletics to the Brits) as well as in the sport of golf. In the twentieth century, many sports adapted as focus shifted from nationalism and national worth towards professionalism and international spectacle.

A destination development by building a brand image and sport event tourism: a case of Sport City USA

Abstract While visitors look for a complete ‘experience’ and select travel destinations on the basis of the total set of destination attributes, individual suppliers that operate independently usually market offer in fragmented pieces. A destination brand with strong equity leads to greater commitment in the form of loyalty and willingness to revisit the destination. As one of the key components for destination characteristics, the sports industry has rapidly developed in recent years. Two cities were discussed as the known for sport city case and Frisco, Texas was examined for the current study. The results of this study show that the economic impact is significant for a destination. Some critical factors (e.g. sustainability) should be discussed in future study.

The Business of Rugby in the Twenty-First Century: An Introduction to this Special Issue

ABSTRACT Inspired by the spectra of rugby union research presented at the 2017 World in Union International Rugby Conference, this special issue brings together a selection of the more recent empirical developments within the business of rugby. This initial paper is presented as a contextual precursor to the six special issue papers that follow. Combined, these papers draw on a variety of methodologies as well as a range of perspectives including pragmatic, philosophical, and critical platforms. We believe the research presented in this issue provides a rich and diverse source of learning for researchers and practitioners interested in the global business of rugby union.

The sport industry in growing economies: critical issues and challenges

The purpose of this paper is to encourage scholarly inquiries to critically examine broad perspectives of marketing and business operations in the sport industry of growing economies.,A comprehensive review of literature was the primary research method to introduce the following critical questions, “what are the major challenges in the sport industry of developing economies in a globalized market environment and what to do?”.,Seven articles are selected based on their theoretical and practical contributions.,This special issue is committed to trigger more investigations into sport businesses in developing countries and ultimately advancing theories and seeking solutions.