Abstract

The purpose of this introduction is to establish the context for the ensuing collection examiningthe relationship between sport and terrorism within a range of international sporting settings.Drawing upon a host of recent examples this article serves to demonstrate the multifacetednature of this relationship, how it emerges in remarkably similar fashions within otherwisequite diverse locations and how sport is increasingly being targeted by terrorists irrespective ofwhether their campaigns are considered to be ‘local’ or global in nature. It argues that terroristsexercise impact both through the direct targeting of sport and also, subsequently, the diffusionout from these real or intentional events to impact upon many aspects of political and civic life.