Introduction: Entering the 21st century, sports have become an important part of the diplomacy toolbox of countries. Developments in the international arena and the rise of non-state actors have caused changes in the way diplomacy works. Today, governments try to achieve some of their political goals in the form of programs to communicate and influence the general audience and the framework of sports diplomacy. The aim of Pohesh is to identify the opportunities and obstacles for obtaining international Olympic seats.
Research method: The research consists of two stages: the first stage includes qualitative research of the type of theory arising from data (using the tools of interviews with university professors and elites, studying articles, books, documents and documents), the second stage includes quantitative research of the type descriptive-analytical (using Delphi and AHP methods). The statistical population was managers and specialists who are experts and knowledgeable about sports diplomacy, and targeted and snowball sampling was used. Accordingly, 22 interviews were conducted with 16 experts (some people were interviewed more than once). In the Delphi department, 50 university professors who specialized in sports management were asked to participate in the Delphi research group, and 30 university professors participated in the Delphi group in two stages. Finally, in the AHP section, a non-probability sampling method was used, through which 45 AHP questionnaires were completed and returned.
Findings: The final results of AHP in the prioritization of the factors affecting the identification of opportunities for international Olympic seats, the variable "receiving the support and support of the diplomatic system" with a relative weight of 0.21, was the most important factor in identifying opportunities. On the opposite side of the final results of AHP in the obstacle prioritization section, the variable "indifference, indifference and lack of coordination between the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the National Olympic Committee and sports federations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other related institutions regarding international sports issues" with a relative weight of 379/ 0, the most important obstacle to obtaining international Olympic seats was identified.
Discussion and conclusion: Compilation and implementation of a comprehensive and scientific program to expand and promote sports diplomacy, define and explain the concept of sports diplomacy to government agencies and institutions active in the field of public diplomacy, important solutions in empowering and strengthening sports diplomacy in the foreign policy of the Republic Islamic Iran is from the point of view of elites. Although steps have been taken in this direction, a coherent program in the form of sports diplomacy has not yet been developed. Therefore, it is necessary to present a written strategy for sports diplomacy, taking into account the capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran.