Sport: Race, Ethnicity and Identity

Sport: Race, Ethnicity and Identity elucidates the paradoxical environment of sport with respect to issues of 'race', ethnicity, and identity. Throughout much of the twentieth century, sports worldwide were enclaves of difference. For example, whites and non-whites were separated on the sports field just as they often were off the field. Today, sport is much more inclusive, with athletic ability taking precedence over skin colour or ancestry. Yet, enmity and antagonism still manifest through racial vilification or hostility among certain groups. Additional problems include the relative absence of minorities from positions of power and influence in sport, as well as stereotypical assumptions about athletic ability based on 'race' or ethnic background.

This book examines issues of diversity, capacity, and equity within the vibrant world of global sport. Presenting a panoramic approach to 'race', ethnicity, and identity aligns with the contemporary global migration of professional athletes and the multicultural contexts of sport across various regions. This collection of essays addresses the international dimensions of sport, including commonality and difference, as well as the unique circumstances of sport and social relations in specific locations.

This book was previously published as a special issue of Sport in Society.