In a world of competing public policy priorities, economic challenges and political uncertainty, sports development organisations and initiatives need to adapt to survive. This book makes the case for 'Sporting Capital' as a new conceptual model of sports participation with the potential to transform public policy and practice in sports development. The central argument presented is that a model of Sporting Capital - with its three domains of physiological, social and psychological attributes - provides a missing framework, creating a new impetus for sustained growth in community sport by joining up the levels at which sports development is planned and implemented. Touching on important issues such as youth sport, public health, volunteering, disability, ethnicity and social inequality, it examines patterns of sports participation in relation to age, gender and social class and offers recommendations for strategic policy improvements that can be implemented by practitioners working on the frontline of community sport. Sporting Capital: Transforming Sports Development Policy and Practice provides valuable insights for all those interested in sports development, youth sport, community sport, or sport and social policy.

Throughout history, the number of participating countries at the Olympic Games has grown. Only in 1978 and 1980, compared to the previous and following Games, the number of countries decreased significantly. With the increasing number of participant countries, the notoriety of the Olympic Games also extended. As a result, the number of partners in the OCOGs (Organising Committees for the Olympic Games) sponsorship programs increased. In 2018, there were more partners than ever before. Through investment in the Olympic Games, sponsors obtain many advantages. On the one hand, through advertisement their notoriety increases. On the other hand, the international cross-linking of sponsors extends. With the growing international fame, every time the Olympic Games are held, a certain motto that refers to international links is represented. In Rio 2016, the Olympic Games caused a sensation with the establishment of a Refugee Olympic Team (ROT). The debate of national representation and awareness grew extensively. People’s positions towards the migration movement strongly differ from each other. Some people agree with the IOC’s intention to support the migration movement and particular refugees. On the other hand, many people criticise the decreasing national character of the Olympic Games. However, at the Olympic Games in Rio 2016, the ROT marched between the Olympic flag and the Brazilian Olympic Team (cf. ibid). During the introduction of the ROT concept, Bach postulates: In the context of the selection of the athletes of the ROT, the IOC cooperated with the NOCs (National Olympic Committees). ‘NOCs around the world were asked to identify any refugee athlete with the potential to qualify for the Olympic Games Rio 2016.’ (IOC, 2016). The criteria to which refugees must adhere to be selected are ‘sporting level, official refugee status verified by the United Nations, and personal situation and background.’ (ibid). After the foundation of the ROT, people became more a more aware of the question of national representation in the Olympic Games. Since the first modern Olympics, foreign-born athletes have competed for other nations, but the establishment of the ROT – which does not represent any one specific nation – expanded debates over nationalism and national belonging.

Sport is everything, but never solely sport. The commodification of human pleasure in or about many sports led to an increased political interest and dimension with regard to the major leagues and their stars. Corruption and scandals increased, while the human being in sports was and still is very often exploited or mistreated. These problems often relate to the political dimension as well. Consequently, it seems very promising and necessary alike to take a closer look at the interrelation of sports and politics. The present volume addresses this interrelation from different angles, when talking about issues like racism, gender inequality, or classism.

Key Themes in Youth Sport is a concise, easy to read reference-style guide to the core concepts in the study of young people’s relationship with sport, exercise and leisure. Designed to help students get to grips with the basics and go on to master the central ideas and debates in contemporary youth sport, this book reflects the multi-disciplinary interest in youth sport, exploring perspectives from Sociology, Psychology, Physiology, Sports Policy, Sports Development, and Physical Education.

Politics is nothing new to Washington, D.C., even in the arena marked with base paths and outfield grass. The stadium for the expansion Washington Nationals baseball team cost over $600 million and while opponents decried the waste of taxpayer money, supporters promised the stadium would stimulate economic development. Land swaps, closed-door deals, and valuable parking-lot strategies were as complex as any game plan employed on the diamond. The district's past stadiums, tracks and Olympics facilities are archived and described in this history, along with their political backdrops. The book features numerous drawings and photographs.

Contemporary sport is shaped by wider society. Today those managing sport must be aware of the broader social and cultural context within which it exists if their effectiveness is to be established and their careers defined. This book is the first of its kind to contextualise the wider social and cultural environment of sport management and explain the key issues and practical implications of this for those working, or intending to find employment, in the field. Written by a team of leading international experts on sport management, the book explores important topics such as corporate social responsibility in sport, race, gender and sexuality, sport and the media, globalisation, populations with individual needs, social class, social capital social exclusion. As part of a comprehensive coverage of these and many other social issues, the reader is reminded of the fundamental requirement to properly appreciate the cultural sensitivities of the managerial environment in which they intend to operate. Each issue is examined from the perspective of the manager or sport practitioner, and each chapter includes a range of useful features, such as case-studies and self-test questions, to encourage the reader to think critically about the role of sport in society and about their own professional practice. This is the first sports management textbook to be based on the thesis that a more socially aware manager is a more effective manager and thus should be regarded as essential reading for all sport management students.