Nazar Martyniuk
Lecturer at the Department of National Security and Political Science, Research Fellow at the Lubomyr Wynar Institute for the Ukrainian Diaspora Studies, National University of Ostroh Academy; ORCID: 0000-0002-2528-0745
DOI:
Abstract. The author focuses on the ways, forms, and mechanisms of sports diplomacy by the largest coordination superstructure of Ukrainian diaspora organisations and communities — the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC). The article analyses and characterises various stages of the history of the UWC Sports Commission, focusing on the personalities of its leaders, their contribution to the development of sport in independent Ukraine, and the promotion of Ukrainian sports in the international arena. The study underscores that Ukrainians abroad carried out important activities to establish the independence of Ukrainian sport prior to the emergence of independent Ukraine in 1991. The article traces the stages of establishing and strengthening cooperation between the UWC Sports Commission and Ukraine. It identifies the forms of such cooperation, in particular, signing memoranda of cooperation, supporting Ukrainian sports teams during participation in international sports competitions, organising sports events, etc.). The author emphasises that the activities of the UWC Sports Commission promote the achievements of Ukrainian sport, support Ukrainian athletes during participation in international sporting events, and are aimed at raising awareness of the history of Ukrainian sport among the international community and the younger generation of Ukrainians in the diaspora. The efforts in these areas include interaction with the media, financial assistance to Ukrainian athletes, and cultural and educational initiatives, such as film screenings, sports reports, etc. Furthermore, UWCled sports diplomacy also contributes to the consolidation of Ukrainians abroad by supporting and organising various sporting events. The UWC member organisations actively promote Ukrainian sport, driving its development abroad and strengthening its visibility within the international arena.
Keywords: diaspora, sports diplomacy, sport, popularisation, Ukrainian World Congress (UWC), Sports Commission, Olympic Games.
Download Article (ukr)
References