This book examines the political significance of sport and its importance for nation-state building and political and economic transition across thirteen post-Soviet and post-socialist countries, primarily located in Eastern Europe.

Adopting a critical case-study approach, building on historical and comparative frameworks, the book uses sport as a symbolic lens through which to examine the transition of Eastern European countries to the Western capitalist system. Covering a wide geographical area, from Poland to the Caucuses and Turkmenistan, it explores key themes such as nationalism, governance, power relations, political ideology, separatism, commercialisation and economic development, and the symbolic value of mega-events.

Sport, Statehood and Transition in Europe is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in sport policy, the politics of sport or political science.

This book examines the political significance of sport and its importance for nation-state building and political and economic transition across thirteen post-Soviet and post-socialist countries, primarily located in Eastern Europe.

Adopting a critical case-study approach, building on historical and comparative frameworks, the book uses sport as a symbolic lens through which to examine the transition of Eastern European countries to the Western capitalist system. Covering a wide geographical area, from Poland to the Caucuses and Turkmenistan, it explores key themes such as nationalism, governance, power relations, political ideology, separatism, commercialisation and economic development, and the symbolic value of mega-events.

Sport, Statehood and Transition in Europe is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in sport policy, the politics of sport or political science.

This book explores various social, cultural, political and economic issues through the lenses of various sport mega-events in the twenty-first century, including the Olympic Games, and the World Cup and European Championships in football. In a time where sport mega-events are closely followed by controversies, legacy discourses and questions of their governance, the chapters within this book showcase why sport mega-events continue to ignite important questions for scholars, commentators, fans and sport and political authorities.

By covering various topics emerging around sport mega-events such as physical activity, legacies, rhetoric, media coverage, environmental impacts, diplomacy and spectators'' experiences, this book breaks new ground as it considers a range of longstanding and emerging socio-political issues relating broadly to the staging of spectacular sport mega-events in the present-day.

This is a fascinating reading for students and researchers situated in sociology, sport management, event management, political science, sport studies, sport business, urban studies and leisure studies. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Sport in Society.

This book explores various social, cultural, political and economic issues through the lenses of various sport mega-events in the twenty-first century, including the Olympic Games, and the World Cup and European Championships in football. In a time where sport mega-events are closely followed by controversies, legacy discourses and questions of their governance, the chapters within this book showcase why sport mega-events continue to ignite important questions for scholars, commentators, fans and sport and political authorities.

By covering various topics emerging around sport mega-events such as physical activity, legacies, rhetoric, media coverage, environmental impacts, diplomacy and spectators'' experiences, this book breaks new ground as it considers a range of longstanding and emerging socio-political issues relating broadly to the staging of spectacular sport mega-events in the present-day.

This is a fascinating reading for students and researchers situated in sociology, sport management, event management, political science, sport studies, sport business, urban studies and leisure studies. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Sport in Society.

This volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the rapidly evolving landscape of Sport for Development and Peace (SDP), a critical approach to peacebuilding, economic development, and social transformation gaining increasing stature during the last twenty-five years. Contributors here scrutinize the diversification in SDP methods and ideals, spotlighting global dimensions and differences in this burgeoning field. Encompassing contributions from scholars across five continents, the chapters illuminate diverse approaches and analyses, reflecting a variety of viewpoints and experiences. The volume highlights the heterogeneity within SDP and assesses the trajectory of SDP studies, while also identifying common threads among seemingly disparate approaches. Further, it investigates sport''s role in responding to global challenges, from financial crises to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and conflicts, and although sport is often recognized for its potential to foster peace and development, this book navigates the intricate complexities and contradictions that can arise in the practice of harnessing sport for these goals. With 14 engaging chapters, the book delves into a range of topics, including critical analyses of different SDP approaches, the sustainability of sport initiatives, alignment of SDP with sustainable development goals, and the use of sport in refugee resettlement. It also examines sport''s contribution to societal outcomes like health, education, inequality reduction, and peace, while discussing challenges faced in the field. Moreover, the volume explores the connections between SDP and indigenous philosophies, feminism, local community development, and issues of violence within prisons. Offering a holistic view of SDP''s evolution and impact, presenting fresh perspectives as well as critical insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers in the realm of international sport, development, and peacebuilding, this volume marks itself an essential resource for understanding the multifaceted landscape of SDP.

This book examines the political significance of sport and its importance for nation-state building and political and economic transition across thirteen post-Soviet and post-socialist countries, primarily located in Eastern Europe.

Adopting a critical case-study approach, building on historical and comparative frameworks, the book uses sport as a symbolic lens through which to examine the transition of Eastern European countries to the Western capitalist system. Covering a wide geographical area, from Poland to the Caucuses and Turkmenistan, it explores key themes such as nationalism, governance, power relations, political ideology, separatism, commercialisation and economic development, and the symbolic value of mega-events.

Sport, Statehood and Transition in Europe is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in sport policy, the politics of sport or political science.

This book examines the political significance of sport and its importance for nation-state building and political and economic transition across thirteen post-Soviet and post-socialist countries, primarily located in Eastern Europe.

Adopting a critical case-study approach, building on historical and comparative frameworks, the book uses sport as a symbolic lens through which to examine the transition of Eastern European countries to the Western capitalist system. Covering a wide geographical area, from Poland to the Caucuses and Turkmenistan, it explores key themes such as nationalism, governance, power relations, political ideology, separatism, commercialisation and economic development, and the symbolic value of mega-events.

Sport, Statehood and Transition in Europe is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in sport policy, the politics of sport or political science.

This book explores various social, cultural, political and economic issues through the lenses of various sport mega-events in the twenty-first century, including the Olympic Games, and the World Cup and European Championships in football. In a time where sport mega-events are closely followed by controversies, legacy discourses and questions of their governance, the chapters within this book showcase why sport mega-events continue to ignite important questions for scholars, commentators, fans and sport and political authorities.

By covering various topics emerging around sport mega-events such as physical activity, legacies, rhetoric, media coverage, environmental impacts, diplomacy and spectators'' experiences, this book breaks new ground as it considers a range of longstanding and emerging socio-political issues relating broadly to the staging of spectacular sport mega-events in the present-day.

This is a fascinating reading for students and researchers situated in sociology, sport management, event management, political science, sport studies, sport business, urban studies and leisure studies. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Sport in Society.

This book explores various social, cultural, political and economic issues through the lenses of various sport mega-events in the twenty-first century, including the Olympic Games, and the World Cup and European Championships in football. In a time where sport mega-events are closely followed by controversies, legacy discourses and questions of their governance, the chapters within this book showcase why sport mega-events continue to ignite important questions for scholars, commentators, fans and sport and political authorities.

By covering various topics emerging around sport mega-events such as physical activity, legacies, rhetoric, media coverage, environmental impacts, diplomacy and spectators'' experiences, this book breaks new ground as it considers a range of longstanding and emerging socio-political issues relating broadly to the staging of spectacular sport mega-events in the present-day.

This is a fascinating reading for students and researchers situated in sociology, sport management, event management, political science, sport studies, sport business, urban studies and leisure studies. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Sport in Society.

This volume offers a comprehensive exploration of the rapidly evolving landscape of Sport for Development and Peace (SDP), a critical approach to peacebuilding, economic development, and social transformation gaining increasing stature during the last twenty-five years. Contributors here scrutinize the diversification in SDP methods and ideals, spotlighting global dimensions and differences in this burgeoning field. Encompassing contributions from scholars across five continents, the chapters illuminate diverse approaches and analyses, reflecting a variety of viewpoints and experiences. The volume highlights the heterogeneity within SDP and assesses the trajectory of SDP studies, while also identifying common threads among seemingly disparate approaches. Further, it investigates sport''s role in responding to global challenges, from financial crises to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and conflicts, and although sport is often recognized for its potential to foster peace and development, this book navigates the intricate complexities and contradictions that can arise in the practice of harnessing sport for these goals. With 14 engaging chapters, the book delves into a range of topics, including critical analyses of different SDP approaches, the sustainability of sport initiatives, alignment of SDP with sustainable development goals, and the use of sport in refugee resettlement. It also examines sport''s contribution to societal outcomes like health, education, inequality reduction, and peace, while discussing challenges faced in the field. Moreover, the volume explores the connections between SDP and indigenous philosophies, feminism, local community development, and issues of violence within prisons. Offering a holistic view of SDP''s evolution and impact, presenting fresh perspectives as well as critical insights for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers in the realm of international sport, development, and peacebuilding, this volume marks itself an essential resource for understanding the multifaceted landscape of SDP.