Northern (N): Soviet Union (NS). Russians at Wimbledon

Summary

A file containing documents concerning the participation of Soviet tennis players at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. The correspondence in the file notes that the Wimbledon authorities were likely to ban Soviet players from participating, as the Soviet tennis authorities had refused to guarantee that their players would not withdraw if drawn to play against South African players. Minutes from Foreign Office staff note the tennis association's move, suggest that British ministers be informed, and argue that the action is defensible on the grounds that sport and politics should be separated.

Tags

south africa united kingdom apartheid international relations race relations soviet union sport soviet foreign policy Anglo-Soviet relations british foreign policy South African-Soviet relations Howard Smith Sport, Leisure, and Tourism Anglo-South African relations