Globalization and Changes in the Meaning of Sport

Abstract

　In the early-21st century, international organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the United Nations cooperated in the expansion of sport for development and peace (SDP) programs. In the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics, strong messages about environmental conservation and human rights were on display. This paper will use J.J. MacAloon’s cultural performance theory and R. Roberton’s theory of globalization to consider the context in which SDP is taking place today. It also offers an historical overview of the development of SDP programs and considers the possibilities that they may offer. The author points out the following trends of SDP: 1) Not all aspects of sport can be positively evaluated with respect to SDP; 2) SDP is associated with certain aspects of neoliberalism; 3) Western conceptions of “human rights culture” cannot be universally applied. Anything other than a pragmatic approach that considers each individual example would be too simplistic; 4) The boundaries in the development of SDP thus far must be broadened to include other critical aspects outside the domain of sport, including sickness, hunger, wars and disputes, and refugee situations. These questions must be critically analyzed in the development of SDP programs. 5) Careful attention must be given to these issues so as to not confuse the balance of power between conventional and grassroots methods of SDP.