What if a simple game of ping pong could alter the course of history? In this first 2025 episode of Sportly, host Kavitha Davidson takes you on a journey through the unexpected story of how a 19-year-old American table tennis player and a chance encounter on a bus led to one of the most pivotal moments in U.S.-China relations: ping pong diplomacy.

From cultural exchanges to breaking Cold War ice, this story reveals the power of sports to bridge divides and foster global connections. We’ll also uncover other iconic examples of sports diplomacy, from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics to baseball bridging U.S.-Cuba relations.

Tune in to discover how sports can serve as a surprising yet powerful tool for peace and politics.

Host: Kavitha A. Davison | Producers: Saadia Khan & Shei Yu I Content Writers: Jonathan Hazel, Shei Yu & Kavitha A. Davidson I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover Art Graphic Designer: Sarah DiMichele

Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com.

Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! 

Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. 

Follow us on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

You can reach the host, Kavitha, at [email protected]

Follow us on TikTok @immigrantlypodcast

IG @immigrantlymedia

Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production

For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at [email protected]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices