SPORTS DIPLOMACY AND THE 2032 OLYMPICS: A MISSED OR POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR AUSTRALIA?

The 2032 Brisbane Olympics are on the horizon, providing a unique opportunity to leverage sports as a catalyst for meaningful global change and knowledge diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region. Despite sport being central to Australia’s national identity and a powerful soft-power tool, fragmented strategy and poor coordination have left its diplomatic potential largely unrealised. Zikr Devjee and Moses Iji raise the question: Will Australia stop overlooking sports diplomacy and act on the opportunity of a lifetime?