SPORTSDIP Series: Sport as a Tool for Public Diplomacy

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in partnership with the Czech Olympic Committee presents the new six-part series SPORTSDIP, premiering online on March 30, 2021, at 10 am EDT, bringing together sports and diplomacy to inspire, entertain, and educate. Discover how sports can serve as a tool for development, discuss hot topics in international relations and sports, and learn from top athletes and sports officials.

The series begins with the talk: Sport as a Tool for Public Diplomacy. In which ways does sport influence international relations? How has sport changed public diplomacy? What diplomatic powers do non-governmental actors wield?

Panelists include:

Roman Kumpošt, Vice President, Czech Olympic Committee

Ryan Murphy, Program Officer, State Department’s Sports Diplomacy Unit

Danka Barteková, Olympic Medalist in Shooting – Skeet

Moderator: Jana Janotová, International Relations Manager, Czech Olympic Committee

Free | RSVP required

BIOGRAPHIES:

Roman Kumpošt has been Vice President of the Czech Olympic Committee since 2016. In his capacity as Vice President, he played an integral role in Prague, being awarded the European Olympic Committees (EOC) General Assembly in 2015 and the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly in 2017 and was at the forefront of organizing both events. He has served on the FIS (International Skiing Federation) Council since 2010 and appointed Vice President in 2020. He holds a number of important roles in the Olympic Movement, including being a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission for the Olympic Winter Games 2026 and member of the IOC Communication Commission. He also served as President of the Organizing Committee of the Liberec 2009 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships (2004 – 2007), President of the Organizing Committee of EOWF 2011, and President of the Organizing Committee of Nordic Junior World Championship 2013.

Ryan Murphy has been a Program Officer with the Sports Diplomacy division (formerly called SportsUnited) at the U.S. Department of State since 2009, directly overseeing the International Sports Programming Initiative (ISPI), the division’s annual sports grant competition portfolio. In addition, he also serves as the liaison with the United States Olympic Committee and National Governing Bodies of Sport for some Sports Envoy programs overseas. He is an Adjunct Professor for the Sports Industry Management program at Georgetown University. Prior to joining the U.S. Department of State, he was the Senior Manager for Sport & Competition globally for Special Olympics International, working there from 2004 – 2009. He has also worked as an International Doping Control Officer for International Doping Tests & Management from 2003 – 2015.

Danka Bartekova is a professional athlete, 3-time Olympian (Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio 2016), and Olympic bronze medalist in sport shooting – skeet event (London 2012). She won 4 bronze medals at the World Championships (2005, 2006, 2010, 2014), 6 gold medals at European Championships (2008, 2010, 2018, 2019) and 6 gold medals at the World Cup (2006, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2021), including an overall win of the World Cup in 2012. Danka studied international relations at University of Matej Bel in Banská Bystrica, where she received a Ph.D. diploma in international relations in 2020. She dedicated her research to “sports diplomacy.” She is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), elected by athletes in London 2012 into an IOC Athletes Commission, where she currently serves as vice- chair. She is a member of several other IOC Commissions: chair of the Coordination Commission for the 3rd Youth Olympic Games (2015-2020), Coordination Commission for the 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires (2013-2018), Olympic Public Affairs and Social Development Through Sport (2013-), Ethics (2018-), and Board of Directors of Olympic Channel Services, S.L. (2015-).

Jana Janotová

Based since 2014 at the European Olympic Committees EU Office in Brussels, Jana Janotová is the Czech Olympic Committee’s international relations manager and expert on EU sports policy and funding, sports diplomacy, sustainability and gender equality. With substantial experience in strategic international project management and academic background in business sustainability and EU and international relations, she helps her organization build strong relationships with international stakeholders, increase its expertise, and enhance its positive image. She is an avid sports fan, former competitive basketball player, and yoga instructor who believes in the power of sport to build bridges and create long-lasting relationships.

Next in the SPORTSDIP Series:

April - Law as a Tool of Sports Diplomacy

May/June – Major Sports Events: Bidding, Politics, and Controversies

September – Sport as a Tool for Development

October – Women and Sports: Overcoming Adversity

November – The Importance of Czech Representation in the International Sports Governing Bodies