Conceptual Framework

"The geography of sport does not coincide with political geography" This statement made by Pierre de Coubertin in 1916 continues to be valid today. In today's world, countries with a delimited territory, although not internationally recognised as States, possess their own political institutions that promote sport by means of a civil network of social entities dedicated to organising the practice of sport. These are the countries, in accordance with international sports tradition, we refer to as sport countries.

Definition of "Sport Country"

"Any geographically or historically delimited territory with cultural and social homogeneity, with its own political institutions, notwithstanding any international political recognition. Such a territory has its own sport system with its sport organisations that promote, manage and rule its sports, and regroup democratically the majority of federations, clubs, associations or participants of its territory".

International Cooperation of Sport Countries

Physical activity and sport are free activities that are promoted and organised by private organisations which act according to whatever cultural and social values are most significant for each territory, and at a given moment in history.

The introduction of sport as a social practise in the modern age was initially parallel to the development of industrial societies and gave rise to a network of sports association that organised the practice of sport. Not only did the new socio-economic system create a new model for labour, it also created new models for leisure, physical activity and sport. Thus industrial societies also revealed themselves as sport countries, as territories where sport is practised with homogenous values and practices, each with its own unique sport system.

Once these territorial sports systems became consolidated, international federations were constituted as private entities for the co-ordination and promotion of sport. These international federations were independent and had leeway from the structures of sovereign States. The sport geography of the first international federations did not coincide with political geography.

Throughout the course of the 20th century, the consolidation of sport as a social phenomenon has entailed the progressive involvement of political institutions in the promotion of sport. This collaboration between the highest political institutions and sports federations has over time given way to a progressive practical coincidence of sports geography with the political geography of sovereign States.

This progressive coincidence has resulted in that sport in these countries is looking for new ways to be present within the international sport framework, and raises the need to establish channels for co-operation among sport countries.

The international co-operation among sport countries, regardless of whether they correspond to sovereign status or not, has therefore become a strategic instrument of great importance for sport in these countries. This co-operation is directed at exchanging information, sharing projects and establishing specific collaboration systems that will break isolation and allow for free sports participation in all international contexts.