CPD Perspectives Paper 4, 2022: Sport-Tech Diplomacy & the Tokyo 2020 Olympics

In the latest issue of CPD Perspectives on Public Diplomacy, CPD Research Fellow Yoav Dubinsky explores the role of sport-tech diplomacy.

"Sport-Tech Diplomacy at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games" explores the intersections between sports, technology and diplomacy as manifested through the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The analysis is through four primary areas: (a) public safety, (b) Games operations, (c) cultural diplomacy and (d) backlash. Tokyo 2020 was originally designed to help with Japan’s recovery from the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster while celebrating Japanese traditions, and creative and innovative culture and technologies. The COVID-19 pandemic not only caused the postponement of the event but also caused Japan to implement unprecedented restrictive guidelines and policies through innovative technologies to deliver the Games despite the challenges. This issue of CPD Perspectives expands the literature on the newly used concept sport-tech diplomacy in the context of the multidisciplinary fields of nation branding and country image and offers five lessons for scholars and practitioners.

Download the full text here.