The IOC as a transnational organization: Paradigm shift and its rising role in global governance

Abstract

The changes in the aftermath of the Cold War deeply affected the functioning of international organizations, and increased their leverage in international affairs. This article chiefly argues that the paradigm shift in the policies of the International Olympic Committee mitigated the prospect of damage to the Olympic movement and paved the way for the International Olympic Committee to figure in international affairs more effectively. In the article, it is concluded that the Olympic Games have become a significant soft power instrument for states’ foreign policy, rather than being an arena of boycotts or chauvinism, owing to the changing nature of international relations; however, it is more difficult for some states to benefit from this resource of soft power because of domestic issues.

Polities and Olympics: Marking the Milestones and Clarifying the Trajectory

“…Promoting local communities, such as in the case of Aboriginal athletes in the Sydney Games, or attributing more importance to the Paralympics and environmental issues has become main concern of the IOC in this new era (Herguner, 2012).…”

The contested terrain of sport diplomacy in a globalizing world

“…The sudden and dramatic interest in sport by scholars spanning such fields as sociology, history, literature, business and economics, geography and politics is both curious and long overdue. For example, a cursory review of the International Journal of Area Studies reveals that only two articles related to sport have been published since IAS was launched in 1997 – one article was about brand recall of 2008 Olympic sponsors in the Korean market (Ha et al, 2009) and one was related to the rising power of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a transnational organization with respect to global governance (Herguner, 2012). As such, this special issue dedicated to Sport and Diplomacy is very timely.…”

“…It is beyond the scope of this paper to address each of these aspects in detail, hence the focus is on (1) global sport organizations and sport mega-events. Notably, while the nation-state features prominently in the model and is pivotal to the goals and aspirations of global sport organizations such as the IOC and FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), like Herguner (2012), I suggest that it is increasingly a means to an end to the extent that the nation-state:…”

“…According to the new IOC rules in the aftermath of major boycotts, if a country decides not to participate in the Games after acceptance of the IOC’s invitation, it is banned from the next Olympic Games. (Herguner, 2012: 181-182)…”