This unique reference, comparing different policies and programs of amateur and professional sports around the world, fills a real gap in scholarly cross-national analysis. Covering fifteen countries, this handbook appraises the relationships of sports organizations with government, describes important sports activities and organizations, assesses policies and programs in historical context, and points to current issues and future prospects. Designed for students, scholars, sports professionals, and all concerned with public policymaking.This comparative study provides a foundation for understanding policies through which sport is developed and administered and for viewing different political cultures. The reference describes varying degrees and kinds of government involvement in sport, illustrates how sports systems differ from country to country, points to various policy legitimations and implementations, and indicates how sports may be affected by economic resources or public health goals. Designed for students, scholars, sports professionals, and all concerned with public policymaking.