Study on the Public Diplomacy Attributes of Sports Stars and Their Role in International Relations --Taking Figure Skating GOAT Yuzuru Hanyu as an Example
Yuyan Cheng

WUHAN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

Sports stars not only achieve excellent scores on the field, but they also act as a lubricant between countries for public diplomacy and international relations . This article uses the knowledge of sports humanities, journalism and other disciplines. Combining with case analysis, text research, and other research methods. To sort out sports stars with public diplomacy attributes in Asia, and explain their role in international relations. The character Yuzuru Hanyu conducts a key analysis. The results of the study are as follows. First of all, the main audience for his performance are ordinary people rather than political elites, which is highly similar to the target group of public diplomacy. Secondly, his public speeches, his personal business endorsements all serve Japanese interests. Public diplomacy is also a kind of diplomacy that serves national interests. Thirdly, Yuzuru relies on his fame and media to create a highlights effect, he is also an important medium for public diplomacy. His role in international relations also includes three points. Firstly, as a sports star, he has a natural advantage in improving international relations. Because sports know no borders. Then, Yuzuru is a figure skating GOAT, his influence and voice in the international community are all strong. Finally, Yuzuru not only has extraordinary achievements, but more importantly, his transnational interaction with fans has eliminated some barriers and promoted peaceful exchanges between people of various countries, especially in the Asian region.

Keywords: Sports stars-Diplomacy attributes-International relations-Yuzuru Hanyu

Topic: Sport, international relations, and diplomacy