The “diaspora” diaspora in sport? A systematic literature review of empirical studies

Abstract

The study and application of the concept of diaspora has grown from its original references to a particular group to encapsulate any individual or group living in a collective community. In the sociological study of sport, diaspora is applied in innovative but potentially problematic ways insofar as the concept of “diaspora” may lose its conceptual and theoretical roots. Given this – as well as the call for greater scholarly examination of diaspora and sport – this article offers a systematic literature review on studies concerned with diaspora and sport. Specifically, we critically discuss: (1) How was diaspora conceptualized? (2) What populations were studied and in what context? (3) How was diaspora examined (i.e. methodology)? (4) What were the results of the study (i.e. main findings and discussion)? In conclusion, we offer theoretical and conceptual dialogue and questions about the future study of diaspora and sport, as well as the application of the term diaspora to dispersed groups in sport contexts.

Sport, migration and diaspora: the case of Ivorian track and field athletes

“…The relationship between sport and diaspora has been explored in sport research, specifically how the linkage has engendered diasporic outcomes. Outcomes have included social connections, relationships between newcomers and community residents, interactions among members of the diaspora across nation-states, diasporic spaces based on virtual communities, promoting and learning about cultural history and a sense of transnational belonging (McSweeney and Nakamura, 2020). Studies on diaspora in sport usually incorporate various types of migration with the process of negotiating cultural and national identities and, in particular, when discussing international competitions such as athletes who compete in the Olympics (Carrington, 2010).…”

“…Diaspora is an outcome of transnational migration and one’s lived experiences. McSweeney and Nakamura (2020) defined diaspora as a “collective or imagined community with a connection to a homeland” (p. 1056). This outcome occurs when individuals or groups find refuge with one another during the resettlement process and connect with others from their homeland.…”

Sport and migration in the age of superdiversity

“…An increasing number of articles in IRSS have also examined sports in migration or the role of sports for minority ethnic and diaspora groups (e.g., Bradbury 2010, Burdsey 2010, Campbell and Williams 2013, Fletcher 2011, Krouwel et al 2006, Joseph 2012, Spracklen and Spracklen 2008, Thangaraj 2010). In the wake of the so-called refugee crisis around 2015, such literature has expanded further (e.g., Buser et al 2021, Dowling 2019, Kyeremeh 2019, McSweeney and Nakamura 2019. This has led to specific attention being paid to racialized and politicised groups in sport, such as Muslim women (e.g., Kay 2006, Toffoletti and Palmer 2015, Lenneis, Evans and Agergaard 2022 and Black minority ethnic groups in western contexts (e.g., Adjepong 2019, Campbell and Williams 2013, Doidge 2013, Parry, Cleland and Kavanagh 2019.…”

Proposal for an Analytical Model for Sports Migration

“…This phenomenon is observed in different sectors of society -such as the sports field -as well as it occurs for different reasons (Magee & Sugden, 2002;Maguire, 1996). Some studies in the area study the relationship between migration and student-athletes (Carter-Thuillier, Lopez Pastor, & Gallardo Fuentes, 2017;Palumbo, Fusco, Cortis, & Capranica, 2021) and sport and physical activity practiced by migrants (O'Driscoll, Banting, Borkoles, Eime, & Polman, 2014;Smith, Spaaij, & McDonald, 2019) forced and refugee migration (Spaaij et al, 2019) and diaspora in sports (McSweeney & Nakamura, 2020).…”