Health Promotion under Global Sport Governance: An Analysis of IOC’s Practices

The study employs text analysis to examine the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) health‐promotion practices within global sports governance, dividing its evolution into three phases: the Single‐Issue-Led Period (2000–2010), the Systematic Construction Period (2011–2019), and the Social Expansion Period (2020–present). Findings indicate that the IOC’s role in health promotion has shifted from managing event-related health to advocating for cross-sectoral health governance. Its governing logic has evolved from short-term, event-affiliated health interventions to acting as a key player in global public-health governance. Throughout these phases, the IOC has constructed a multi-tiered governance mechanism by collaborating with international organizations, national and local governments, and market actors. However, to better address global health crises and sustainable-development challenges, the IOC must further enhance the inclusiveness and scientific grounding of its policies.