Gilded Politics: Analysing the utilization of sports diplomacy in Qatar and Australia and whether it can be seen as sportswashing

This study explored the role of sports diplomacy in the international strategies of Qatar and Australia, with a particular focus on the potential use of sportswashing tactics. We aimed to analyse how much sports diplomacy was employed by Qatar and Australia through the sports sector plan, and can it be considered sportswashing? Additionally, the study raised the question of whether sportswashing is an exclusive phenomenon of non-western States or if western States, exemplified by Australia, also engage in similar practices. We used a mixed method approach to triangulate our data, through a quantitative automatic text analysis and a qualitative discourse analysis, on the two sports sector strategies. From this, we found that both Qatar and Australia utilize aspects of sportswashing although to a different extent. It is clear that both countries have implemented sports within their soft power to gain influence and improve their image on a global stage. This means that we saw a complex relationship appear between politics and sports; creating an unclear definition and future for the concept of sportswashing.