ABSTRACT
This chapter will focus on three Scandinavian countries: Norway, Denmark and Sweden. One of the most interesting aspects to be investigated concerns the way in which the culture of democratic social welfare systems has played a pivotal role in promoting the characteristics of the three national sports systems. In particular, the chapter focuses on how the universalism of public policies of Norway, Denmark and Sweden is linked to the high participation level of citizens in sporting activities. Moreover, the chapter will stress the close relationship that exists between voluntary organisations and public institutions. The result is a voluntary sport movement characterised by a large degree of autonomy and self-regulation, combined with extensive state support based on the notion of sport as an important component of the welfare society (Ronglan 2015).
