ABSTRACT
The Danish case of national 'popular sport' raises questions concerning relations between nationalism and body culture. The trialectical differentiation of body culture in general, and of its identity related dimensions in particular, should be understood as a means of analysis and comparison. The analysis of body culture under the headings of plurality and contradiction leads also to a revision of the unitary term of nationalism. The Danish case is interesting, because it shows the links between the model of nationalism, a specific history of class relations and a special form of body culture. The study of sport and body culture may add something new to the already established literature on society and nationalism, following the psychological theory that collective identities are created by common rituals. Rituals can be of very different character; likewise, identities.
