ENSURING SECURITY AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AS FACTORS IN THE SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION OF GLOBAL SPORTING EVENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48371/ISMO.2026.63.1.010Keywords:
international sporting events, mega-events, security provision, international relations, comprehensive security system, cybersecurity, diplomatic security, public security, reputational security, biological security, Olympic Games, risk managementAbstract
In the context of increasing turbulence in the contemporary system of international relations, the issue of ensuring security at international sporting mega-events has become particularly relevant. Large-scale sporting events represent not only arenas of athletic competition but also important platforms for international interaction, diplomacy, and the demonstration of states’ political, economic, and reputational potential. The large number of participants, the presence of foreign delegations, political leaders, and representatives of international organizations transform such events into potential focal points of various risks and threats.
The aim of this study is to identify and systematize the key dimensions of a comprehensive security system for international sporting mega-events and to analyze their significance within the framework of international relations scholarship. The scientific novelty of the study lies in considering mega-event security as a multidimensional phenomenon that integrates political, diplomatic, technological, and social aspects.
The methodological framework of the research is based on an interdisciplinary approach, causal analysis, the case-study method, and the analysis of academic works within the realist and liberal paradigms of international relations theory. The empirical cases examined include the terrorist attack during the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, the cyberattack on the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games, and the sanitary security measures implemented during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The results of the study identify five key dimensions of a comprehensive security system for international sporting events: public and physical security, international and diplomatic security, political and reputational security, cybersecurity, and biological and sanitary security. The scientific value of the research lies in the systematization of existing approaches to the security of mega-events within the field of international relations. The practical significance of the study is reflected in the potential application of the proposed security model in the planning and organization of major international sporting events.
