Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics as an Instrument of Chinas's Sports Diplomacy

Abstract

Sports Mega Events (SMEs) in the twenty-first century open opportunities for diplomatic interaction among multi-level actors. This research uses a qualitative method based on a literature review to explore China's sports diplomacy through the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Drawing on J. Simon Rofe's identification of the concept of sports diplomacy, which defines international sporting events as the main platform for achieving national interests. This research analyzes how China uses the Winter Olympics as an instrument of sports diplomacy to achieve its national interests. This study found that the Olympics were used as an instrument to achieve legitimacy for national credibility and superiority. This study also found that China uses the power of Olympic communication as an instrument to correct issues and negative stereotypes about China's national image.