Dear all,
Last week the following items were published on idrottsforum.org (see below; language and publication dates, YYMMDD, in brackets). Click on the red headings to go to content. Utilize the Google Translate service to turn Scandinavian language pages into (some sort of) English.
And remember, if you’re not already hooked up to one of the social media outlets that we utilize, for now they are Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn and X, you’re missing quite a lot of information from idrottsforum.org that never appears on the website. So, if that is the case, check out, by clicking on the names, our Facebook, Bluesky, LinkedIn and X accounts.
Have a great week,
Kjell Eriksson
Editor
Feature Article
Towards the Professional Development of Supporter Liaison Officers: A Transnational Approach, by Aage Radmann et al.
The Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO) has emerged as a key mechanism for fostering communication between clubs, governing bodies, and fan communities. The SLO function is formally recognized within UEFA licensing regulations, yet its implementation varies considerably across national contexts, reflecting differences in organizational structures, cultural traditions, and regulatory frameworks. Against this backdrop, the project Towards the Professional Development of Supporter Liaison Officers (TPDS) was initiated by Football Supporters Europe (FSE) with financial support from the European Union. (Published in English 260202.
Book Reviews
An important contribution to the field, bringing together history, embodiment, and personal experiences in a rare way
The release of Social Justice Through Sport and Exercise Psychology, edited by Leslee Fisher (Routledge) comes at a moment when discussions around equity, inclusion, and the politics of participation in sport feel more urgent than ever. This book exposes the regressive tendencies within sport that harm, exclude, and silence, but also offers voices that illustrate how social justice is lived, embodied, and continually negotiated within sporting and academic spaces. In his review, Jacob Law highlights significant contributions to the field by demonstrating the depth and diversity of social justice work within SEP. (Review in English, published 260204.)
Less sweat, more gain
Michael Crawley’s new book To the Limit: The Meaning of Endurance from Mexico to the Himalayas (Bloomsbury) sets out to rediscover the joy of moving together as a group – whether it’s running the length of the Lake District in a day, or navigating the descents of the Sindhupalchok International Trail Race in Nepal. And let’s not forget the Rarámuris! Erkki Vettenniemi, who really enjoyed Crawley’s last book, is decidedly less enchanted with his latest effort, struggling – and only partly succeeding – in finding its raison d’être. Thumbs up, though, for the Tintin’ish cover. (Review in English, published 260205.)
New Blog Post
Did the ancient Greeks seek to trash their opponents on skis?
By Erkki Vettenniemi
I gather they will soon start distributing ‘Olympic’ medals somewhere in northern Italy, not far from the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula where all sorts of physical contests thrived in ancient times. And next month the same venues will host ‘Paralympic Winter Games’ which, as my superficial search revealed, put a premium on values such as courage, inspiration and determination. What’s the connection between the three events? A Greek placename ‘Olympia’ plus geographical location, so far as the Italian events are concerned. Other than that, nothing, niente, and the same in Greek… (Published in English 260205.)
News items (calls for papers, vacancies, etc.)
- Call for Participation | Forum to Connect Researchers and Acafans of Sports Romance (260202)
- Call for Papers | Innovative Technologies in Sports Training, International Workshop, TechSportLab 2026 | November 11–13, 2026, Lisbon, Portugal. Call ends May 24, 2026 (260203)
