The Role of Sports in Development of Foreign Relations of Emerging Economies (BRIC)

The aim of this study was to compare the sports diplomacy in BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries with Iran. The present research was applied and was conducted by examining more than 50 articles, books, notes, news, etc. during the years 2000 to 2018 using the Bereday’s method. To obtain the required information, English and Persian texts were collected up until the end of 2018; the findings showed that emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China) seek to achieve their macro-level political goals in sports by presenting a comprehensive program for the use of athletes, coaches, referees and even sports’ college students. However, the decision makers in the Islamic Republic of Iran consider sports merely as a phenomenon for entertainment and fun, and they are still content with “interest” instead of  “perception” of the world of sports.