Homepage

We use cookies to track and analyse visitors to our website

These cookies help make the website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation. They are necessary for our website to function and cannot be switched off.
These cookies gather information to understand how visitors interact with the website, such as how many people are using our website of which pages are popular to help us improve user experience. Switching off these cookies will mean that we cannot gather information to improve the user experience.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by a third party provider whose services we have added to our website. Switching off these cookies mean that areas of our website cannot work properly.

Cookies are small text files that can be used by websites to make a user's experience more efficient.

The law states that we can store cookies on your device if they are strictly necessary for the operation of this site.

For all other types of cookies we need your permission.

This site uses different types of cookies. Some cookies are placed by third party services that appear on our pages.

You can at any time change or withdraw your consent from the Cookie Declaration on our website.

Learn more about who we are, how you can contact us and how we process personal data in our Privacy Policy.

Skip navigation
  • About us
    • Our Directors team
    • Our Board and panels
    • Strategic plan 2021-31
    • Annual reports
    • Our funders
    • Who we work with
    • Tenders
    • Contact us
  • Our work
    • Investing in sport
    • Investing in events
    • Powering positive change and social impact
    • International relations
    • Learning and development
    • Protecting and Transforming Olympic and Paralympic sport
    • Leadership and governance
    • Coaching
  • Events
  • News
  • Sports
    Olympic sports
    • Archery
    • Aquatics
    • Artistic Swimming
    • Athletics
    • Badminton
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Bobsleigh
    • Boxing (Amateur)
    • View all
    Paralympic sports
    • Boccia
    • Goalball
    • Para-Archery
    • Para-Athletics
    • Para-Badminton
    • Para-Canoe
    • Para-Climbing
    • Para-Cycling
    • Para-Equestrian Dressage
    • View all
  • Resources
    • A Code for Sports Governance
    • Organisational Health
    • Para performance strategic framework
    • Board minutes
    • Complaints and whistleblowing
    • Eligibility
    • Fraud, corruption and bribery
    • Transparency and open data
    • HR policy templates
    • Pregnancy guidance
    • Reports and research
    • The Whyte Review
  • Jobs in sport
    • Working at UK Sport
    • Explore career pathways
    • Find jobs in sport
    • Advertise sport jobs
  • About us
    • Our Directors team
    • Our Board and panels
    • Strategic plan 2021-31
    • Annual reports
    • Our funders
    • Who we work with
    • Tenders
    • Contact us
  • Our work
    • Investing in sport
    • Investing in events
    • Powering positive change and social impact
    • International relations
    • Learning and development
    • Protecting and Transforming Olympic and Paralympic sport
    • Leadership and governance
    • Coaching
  • Events
  • News
  • Sports
    Olympic sports
    • Archery
    • Aquatics
    • Artistic Swimming
    • Athletics
    • Badminton
    • Baseball
    • Basketball
    • Bobsleigh
    • Boxing (Amateur)
    • View all
    Paralympic sports
    • Boccia
    • Goalball
    • Para-Archery
    • Para-Athletics
    • Para-Badminton
    • Para-Canoe
    • Para-Climbing
    • Para-Cycling
    • Para-Equestrian Dressage
    • View all
  • Resources
    • A Code for Sports Governance
    • Organisational Health
    • Para performance strategic framework
    • Board minutes
    • Complaints and whistleblowing
    • Eligibility
    • Fraud, corruption and bribery
    • Transparency and open data
    • HR policy templates
    • Pregnancy guidance
    • Reports and research
    • The Whyte Review
  • Jobs in sport
    • Working at UK Sport
    • Explore career pathways
    • Find jobs in sport
    • Advertise sport jobs
Popular content on our site
Prepare to “Find Your Greatness” as search for UK's future athletes gets underway The National Lottery operator Allwyn launches ChangeMakers fund for athletes as they make a difference back home Breadth of success targeted as British Olympic and Paralympic performance aspirations confirmed for Paris Investing in sport Strategic plan 2021-31
Our work

International relations

We ensure the UK remains world-leading by using our expertise and influence to shape the future of performance sport on the world stage.

A display of international flags

International relations investment

Working with partner organisations to build relationships with international sporting bodies

International relations investment
A crowded sports stadium, lit by fireworks at the opening ceremony of the Olympic games

International leadership development

Helping to develop promising international sports administrators and leaders

International leadership development
Two people helping a third to perform a handstand

International partnerships programme

Supporting organisations to plan a sustainable and strategic engagement in international sport development

International partnerships programme
Three people from ethically diverse backgrounds posing and smiling for a selfie photograph to be taken

International research

Discover the research we support to understand the international sporting system and impact change

International research
Delegates sat at a conference watching Dame Katherine Grainger speak as part of a panel discussion

International advocacy and standards

Advocating and influencing for the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct

International advocacy and standards

At UK Sport, as set out in our 2021-31 Strategic Plan we aim to ensure the UK remains a world-leading, influential player, using our expertise and influence to shape the future of performance sport on the world stage.

One of the ways we do this is by positively shaping the direction and development of the international sporting system. This includes having a strong and respected voice in the major decisions taken by international federations which could affect the future of sport – in areas such as rules, regulations, qualification processes, eligibility, new disciplines and major events bidding. As a result, we invest strategically into NGBs’ International Relations Strategies and in a network of high calibre British postholders who have the influence and capability to effect meaningful change at the international level.

However, some of the biggest challenges facing the international sporting system go beyond rules and regulations on issues such as integrity, credibility and the legitimacy of international sport itself. We want to ensure the UK, as one of the world’s leading sporting nations, plays its part in building effective international sport governance, promoting ethical leadership and decision-making, achieving gender equality - and wider diversity and inclusion - in sport, supporting environmental sustainability and ensuring the highest standards of athlete welfare.

We also invest in the growth of the Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth sport movements through innovative international partnerships and projects that enhance the UK’s global standing, whilst contributing to a thriving international sporting system. These partnerships – a key part of the UK’s Sport Diplomacy strategy - support the UK Government’s ambition for the UK to be a force for good in the world.

Our objectives

Through our 2021-25 International Relations strategy, we will:

  • Play a leading voice in international sport through targeted investment into all UK Sport-funded bodies – and through the development of a connected, high calibre and truly diverse network of British postholders on international federations.
  • Position the UK as a critical, global player in driving influential, meaningful reform in the way international sport is governed.
  • Use our voice, influence and platform to advocate for a thriving sporting system that acts on equality, diversity, inclusion and environmental sustainability.
  • Develop and implement an ambitious sport diplomacy strategy that significantly enhances the UK’s international partnerships, influence and impact – in and outside sport.
  • Ensure UK Sport and our partners are systematically informed by – and able to act on – the latest IR developments and issues that directly affect our investment and the future of international sport.

For more information, please contact: international.relations@uksport.gov.uk

 

News

Tess Howard standing in front of a banner saying
ChangeMakers grant athletes announced
30 April 2025
Imogen Grant rowing in the middle of the image, rowing away from camera. A coach stands on the dock to the right hand side.
Sustainability Accelerator Programme
16 April 2025
The attendees of the Women in Coaching event with standing in front of a building.
First Annual Women in Coaching Assembly convenes in Birmingham
10 April 2025
Looking to work in sport?
Find or advertise sports jobs in the UK
Search now
Our funders
  • Funded by UK Government
  • TNL partners
Who we work with
  • British Olympic Association
  • Paralympics GB
  • Logo of the UK Sports Institute
  • Sport England
  • Sport Northern Ireland
  • Sport Wales
  • Sport Scotland
  • Logo of the British Elite Athletes Association
  • Logo for UK Coaching
  • Logo of Sport Resolutions
Sitelogo
Sitemap
  • Homepage
  • About us
  • Our work
  • Events
  • News
  • Sports
  • Resources
  • Jobs in sport
  • Website terms and privacy policy
  • Editorial policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility
  • Freedom of Information
  • Welsh language scheme
  • FAQs
Contact
UK Sport
6th Floor
10 South Colonnade
London
E14 4PU
E: info@uksport.gov.uk
T: +44 (0) 20 7211 5100
Follow us
Twitter Youtube Instagram LinkedIn

© Copyright UK Sport 2025