Sport, Forced Migration and the 'Refugee Crisis'

Description

Drawing on original research, this book looks at what sport can tell us about the social processes, patterns and outcomes of forced migration and the ‘refugee crisis’. Adopting a systems theory framework and examining different sport disciplines, performance levels and settings, it represents a significant contribution to our understanding of one of the most urgent social issues facing the modern world. The book explores four key aspects of sport’s intersection with forced migration. Firstly, it looks at how the media covers sport in relation to the ‘refugee crisis’, specifically coverage of refugee elite athletes. Secondly, it examines the adaptation of sport organisations to the ‘refugee crisis’, including the culture, programmes and structures that promote or obstruct sport for refugees. Thirdly, the book looks at sport in refugee sites, and how sport can be used as therapy, an escape or empowerment for refugees but also how it can reinforce the divisions between staff and the refugees themselves. Finally, the book looks at how forced migration influences and is influenced by participation in elite sport, by examining the biographies of elite migrant athletes. A richly descriptive, critical and illuminating piece of work, this book is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in sport, migration, sociology or the relationship between sport and wider society. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Figures Tables Preface Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations 1. Introduction 1.1 Sport and the 'refugee crisis' as a research topic 1.2 Research question 1.3 Structure Note 2. State of the Art Research on Forced Migration and Sport 2.1 Neighbouring disciplines and research areas 2.2 Knowledge on forced migration and sport 2.3 Critical review of the literature Notes 3. Definitions of Key Terms in Forced Migration and Sport 3.1 Migrant, displaced person, and refugee 3.2 Physical activity, exercise, and sport 3.3 Crisis and migration crises Notes 4. The 'Refugee Crisis' 4.1 The context of the 'refugee crisis' 4.2 The 'refugee crisis' as a process 4.3 Sport in the 'refugee crisis' Notes 5. Systems Theoretical Framework 5.1 Systems theory 5.1.1 General assumptions 5.1.2 Specific concepts 5.1.3 Typification of the considered systems 5.2 Other theories Notes 6. Methodical Approaches of the Projects 6.1 Researching mass media 6.2 Researching sport organisations 6.3 Researching refugee sites 6.4 Researching refugee athletes Notes 7. Results of the Projects 7.1 Sport and forced migration in the mass media 7.2 Activities for refugees in sports clubs 7.3 Physical activity in refugee sites 7.4 Forced migration and elite sport Notes 8. Overarching Discussion of the Results 8.1 Representations of refugee athletes 8.2 Organisations and sport activities for refugees 8.3 Holistic considerations of the research Notes 9. Conclusion 9.1 The role of sport within the 'refugee crisis' 9.1.1 Elite sport 9.1.2 Amateur sport 9.1.3 Leisure sport 9.2 Limitations 9.2.1 Methodological aspects 9.2.2 Practical aspects 9.3 Future perspectives 9.3.1 Research gaps 9.3.2 Future scientific agenda 9.3.3 Call to the scientific community Notes Articles by the Author References Index