Jonathan Grix is Professor of Sport Policy and Head of the Sport Policy Unit at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles on sport politics, sports policy and the politics of sports mega-events. Jonathan is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Sport Politics and Policy.  Paul Brannagan is a Political Sociologist, specializing in the study of sport. His research focuses on the use of mega-events by national governments for achieving political, economic, social and cultural objectives. Paul has published in some of the leading politics and leisure journals, including Leisure Studies, Global Society and International Affairs. Donna Lee is Professor of Political Economy and Head of the Department of Economics, Policy and International Business at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has published widely on political economy and diplomacy and is the co-editor of the Palgrave Diplomacy & International Relations monograph series.

• Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Emerging States and the Shifting Balance of Global Power.- Chapter 3. Sports Mega-Events and the Concept of Soft Power.- Chapter 4. Brazil’s Double Host Status.- Chapter 5. Russia’s Unique Soft Power Strategy.- Chapter 6. China’s Coming Out Party? The Beijing Olympics, 2008.- Chapter 7. South Africa and the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.- Chapter 8. Qatar’s Global Sports Strategy: Soft Power and the 2022 World Cup.- Chapter 9. Conclusion.

Jonathan Grix is Professor of Sport Policy and Head of the Sport Policy Unit at Manchester Metropolitan University. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles on sport politics, sports policy and the politics of sports mega-events. Jonathan is the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Sport Politics and Policy.  Paul Brannagan is a Political Sociologist, specializing in the study of sport. His research focuses on the use of mega-events by national governments for achieving political, economic, social and cultural objectives. Paul has published in some of the leading politics and leisure journals, including Leisure Studies, Global Society and International Affairs. Donna Lee is Professor of Political Economy and Head of the Department of Economics, Policy and International Business at Manchester Metropolitan University. She has published widely on political economy and diplomacy and is the co-editor of the Palgrave Diplomacy & International Relations monograph series.

• Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Emerging States and the Shifting Balance of Global Power.- Chapter 3. Sports Mega-Events and the Concept of Soft Power.- Chapter 4. Brazil’s Double Host Status.- Chapter 5. Russia’s Unique Soft Power Strategy.- Chapter 6. China’s Coming Out Party? The Beijing Olympics, 2008.- Chapter 7. South Africa and the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.- Chapter 8. Qatar’s Global Sports Strategy: Soft Power and the 2022 World Cup.- Chapter 9. Conclusion.