Physical Education, Sports and Educational Reforms: The Assistance Agreement Between the Argentine Republic and the Federal Republic of Germany (1961–1980)

Abstract

Between 1961 and 1980, a group of bilateral actions were developed jointly the Argentine Republic (AR) and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) regarding physical education and sports. Based on these agreements, training and advice were provided for the reform of physical education teachers’ training and school physical education, the construction of infrastructure was encouraged, and sports medicine was promoted. This paper analyzes how the relationship between the FRG and the AR for the promotion of ‘sports science’ was shaped. The aim is to delve into the temporalities of the different topics and their processes of translation and approval by local actors. The analysis shows that the construction of this bilateral agenda took place in the interaction of the policies for physical education and sport of the AR and the FRG, resulting in translations and re-appropriations of the proposed programmes. In addition, the agenda was also structured by the relationship networks built for almost two decades. Understanding such nuances makes it possible to point out how these exchanges took place.