Sports Diplomacy in BRICS: Opportunities for Russia’s Sports Sovereignty

Amid the consolidation of polycentricity and the politicization of international sports, Russia, faced with unprecedented external pressure, is urgently seeking strategic opportunities to strengthen its sovereignty in this area. The article examines the role of the BRICS as a key actor in the formation of a transregional sports ecosystem. The authors propose a multi-layered model of sports sovereignty encompassing infrastructural, regulatory, promotional, and foreign policy aspects. Through the prism of this model, the evolution of the BRICS Games and the specifics of the participating countries’ sports diplomacy are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the interests and actions of Russia, for which this format is becoming a tool for countering sanctions, promoting national sports, and strengthening soft power. The Games are viewed as a platform for the joint development of traditional and innovative disciplines, cultural branding, and the formation of alternative international norms. The conclusion substantiates the need for further institutionalization of sports cooperation within BRICS to strengthen the sovereign capabilities of Russia and its partners.