diplomacy Q&A

In Russia, ice hockey serves as a compelling example of the influence of soft power. Russian ice hockey stands as a testament to national dominance and profound cultural pride, demonstrating the resonance of a nation’s cultural strengths on a global scale. This deep cultural foundation, coupled with strategic brilliance on the rink, has earned Russian players global acclaim, solidifying their supremacy not only in the World Championships and Winter Olympics, but more importantly within the NHL itself, where Russian players such as Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) challenge Russophobia with every match. As a result, Russian ice hockey illustrates the interplay between soft power and diplomacy. Soft power provides persuasive force, while diplomacy channels that influence to achieve the desired foreign policy objectives. Essentially, soft power lays the groundwork upon which successful diplomacy is built, by fostering mutual understanding and respect.

Sports as a Tool for Political Manipulation

At the height of the Cold War in the 1960s, the Soviet ice hockey team was unequivocally the world’s best; it epitomised Soviet dominance and power. The rivalry between the Soviet and American national teams become a potent symbol of the broader geopolitical struggle, where the bipolar rivalry defined international relations. In 1980, international tensions escalated following the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan, leading the USA to spearhead widespread international condemnation and compelling President Jimmy Carter’s decision to boycott the Moscow Summer Olympics. History repeated itself after Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine in 2022, as Russian teams were once again banned from playing in the Americas. The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) suspended Russia from participating in international competitions. Due to ongoing security concerns, the IIHF has extended the ban to the 2025-26 season, which now risks excluding the Russian team from the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.