A comparative study of policies on international relations in Olympic sports: The experiences of Greece and Australia S. Quick, T. Taylor, and D. Gargalianos* Introduction The phenomena of dynamic global expansion and its nexus with sport policy and international relations has been identified as a topic that is ambiguous and in need of further investigation (see MacAloon, 1991), Coakley (1994) and Cashmore (1996) suggest it is a consequential area for exploration as sport can both positively and negatively effect ‘between-country’ relations depending upon the context and intent. The global expansion of the world economy, the liberalization of international sports boundaries per- petuated and fostered by media and technology coupled with the increasing diffusion of nation states and the rise of international integration of sports men and women into previously nation-focused competitions, has meant that we need to reconceptualize the sport/international relations nexus. As sporting boundaries become blurred and nationalism is viewed as increasingly irrelevant at best, or a dangerous ideal at worst, it may seem somewhat incongruous to investigate the use of sports policy to promote interna- tional relations between geographically defined countries and cultures. Conceptually, this is the paradox upon which this research is focussed. A review of the literature suggests that this area is prime for investigation. Sport has different modes of structural organization in different countries and this affects the way in which international relations policies can be employed. Similarly, the outcomes and relationships will depend on the formative stage of development of the sport, the country and the role of the state and its preference for formal or ‘social’ modes of control. Significantly, the literature points to the need for sport managers to know the context of how sport is used in their own nations, how this situation varies from nation to nation, and the context for this variation between nations. An understanding of the multidi- rectional and multi-causal aspects of globalisation and the need to embrace rather than exclude theories on world relations are crit- ical to embracing all of its aspects, and developing policy which incorporates both its positive and negative aspects. This research explores this nexus of sport policy and international relations via a two country survey of national and state level sporting organizations. Olympic sports are a perfect starting point for this research as they are common to both Australia and Greece. Both countries have demonstrated a strong commitment to the Olympics by being present at every Games of the modern era. Background The current global community is characterised by national economies that are inextricably linked to world monetary systems and multi-national corporations that are increasingly dominant in local markets. Sport has not escaped this worldwide globalisa- tion process, although its effect has been felt more strongly in some sports than others and more directly in some countries than others. For example, McKay, Lawrence, Miller and Rowe (1993) discuss how Australian sport has been substantively altered by the integration of sport into global media industries, the global processes of commercialisation and industrialisation, and the ascen- dancy of corporate managerialism. However, the creation of expansive spheres of influence and domination is not a new phenom- enon in sport. Although the World League of American Football in Europe is currently a prime example of cultural imperialism, the place of sports such as cricket in furthering the colonial perspective of England and its Empire has been well-documented (see Cashman 1988). While sport can contribute to national identity, and to a certain extent transcend other divisions within society by acting as a * S. Quick, T. Taylor, and D. Gargalianos are at the University of Technology, Australia. Bridging Three Centuries Fifth International Symposium for Olympic Research, pp. 81-88