The IOC and South Africa: A Lesson in Transnational Relations

Abstract

We argue that a more complete picture of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the emerging globalized world is possible by considering the IOC as a transnational organization. In this paper, we demonstrate the importance of paying attention to a non- governmental entity (the IOC) in its interactions with a national government (South Africa) as well as the fragile and often paradoxical nature of transnational behavior. We illustrate how both the internal and external forces that were brought to bear on the IOC forced it to reconsider whether the South African Olympic and National Games Association (SAONGA) could actually deliver on the mandate required of all National Olympic Committees. From an initial position of confidence in SAONGA, the IOC slowly moved to one in which it was clear that the South Africans would have to be expelled from the Olympic movement. The re instatement of South Africa only came with the guarantee that the transnational goal of Olympism could be met in that country.