Advancing Global Sport Governance
Turning sport into international dialogue
Strengthening the Swiss Sport Ecosystem
Based in Switzerland, SWISSDO brings together leaders from sport, government, international organisations and business to strengthen governance, shape strategy and support informed decision-making across global sport.
Through dialogue, executive education and strategic exchange, it helps reinforce Switzerland’s role as a leading hub for international sport governance.
At the Intersection of Sport and Diplomacy
Geneva lake hosts the world’s leading sports federations and multilateral institutions. The Institute builds upon this unique ecosystem to foster structured dialogue, executive education and strategic advisory services at the crossroads of sport, business, governance and international relations.
A Platform of Excellence in Sports Diplomacy and Governance
Strategic
Structured expertise in international sports governance and institutional leadership.
Neutral
Operating in the spirit of Swiss neutrality and multilateral dialogue.
International
Engaging federations, governments and organisations worldwide.
Executive Knowledge
Advanced programmes tailored for decision-makers and senior leaders.
Trusted
A platform grounded in Swiss institutional culture and credibility.
Forward-Looking
Shaping the future of responsible and sustainable sport governance.
Diplomatic Sports Dialogue
Switzreland is one of the world’s principal centres for multilateral engagement.
Led by Dominique Blanc, former President of the Swiss Football Association (SFV/ASF), and managed by Olivier Jarosz, lecturer and author on sports geopolitics and a football practitioner for over a decade.
The Institute convenes high-level forums, closed roundtables and strategic dialogues in a neutral, structured setting connecting decision-makers from sport, diplomacy, public authorities and the international community. At its core, diplomacy is about dialogue and sustained contact.
Our convening activities are designed to build trusted relationships that help institutions navigate complexity and act with clarity. These gatherings foster:
- Informal diplomacy
- Institutional trust and sherpa Services to be closer to IOC
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Governance innovation
Switzerland’s tradition of stability and neutrality provides a unique environment for constructive exchange.
Advisory and Policy Hub
We provide confidential strategic advisory and applied intelligence to:
Stakeholders seeking alignment with international standards, compliance frameworks and responsible sport governance
Public entities and governments engaging with international sports bodies
Sponsors and commercial partners seeking to position partnerships effectively across different territories
Cities and host authorities preparing major sporting event bids
Investors and rights-holders strengthening governance structures and stakeholder trust
Our advisory work is grounded in Swiss sports ecosystem, legal, diplomatic and institutional expertise.
Executive Education
The Institute offers high-level executive programmes designed for diplomats, sports executives, public officials and institutional leaders.
Our applied, case-based curriculum addresses:
International sports governance frameworks
Governing bodies and institutional negotiation
- Major event bidding strategies
- Crisis management and reputational risk
- Geopolitics of sport
- Maîtrise du protocole à la genevoise
- Compliance and ethical standards
Our approach is strategic, practical and internationally oriented.
The Strategic Arena
At the Swiss Institute of Sports Diplomacy, we treat sport as part of international affairs, not as a separate sphere.
The Strategic Arena brings together senior professionals from sport, diplomacy, business and public institutions to develop practical responses to the issues shaping the international sports system. Through executive education, applied research, professional networks and hands-on support, we help turn experience into projects, strategy and institutional cooperation. Our work draws on real cases and current practice, with attention to governance, major events, reputation, inclusion and the role of Switzerland in global sport.
Institutional Stewardship for Global Sport
The Institute is committed to long-term institutional responsibility in global sport.
Heritage & Institutional Memory
Documenting and preserving Switzerland’s contribution to global sports governance.
Ethical Leadership
Promoting transparency, accountability and sustainable governance practices.
Inclusion & Responsibility
Encouraging equitable and responsible sport governance worldwide.
The real story behind Switzerland's rise as the world's premier sport governance hub
Swiss SPORTS DIPLOMACY
There is one country in the world that, for better or for worse, is firmly associated with international sport governance. It comes to mind if you were to think about structures such as the International Olympic Committee or the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, but it also hosts countless other international federations for a myriad other sports, associations and organisations that play a very important role in the orderly functioning of sport globally. You would not get any prizes for guessing Switzerland here.