From Nixon ping pong to Obama baseball: diplomacy thru sport

US President Richard Nixon travelled to China in 1972 on the back of what was referred to as 'ping-pong diplomacy'. A year before, the Chinese president Mao Zedong had invited a delegation of US players to play various matches against his countrymen.

Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and was present at the annual match between democrats and republicans from Congress in June 2015.

Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and was present at the annual match between democrats and republicans from Congress in June 2015.

Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and was present at the annual match between democrats and republicans from Congress in June 2015.

Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and was present at the annual match between democrats and republicans from Congress in June 2015.

Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and was present at the annual match between democrats and republicans from Congress in June 2015.

Barack Obama es un gran aficionado al béisbol y presenció el partido anual entre congresistas demócratas y republicanos en junio de 2015.

Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and was present at the annual match between democrats and republicans from Congress in June 2015.

Barack Obama Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and threw the first pitch at the MLB All Star match in July 2009.

Barack Obama Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and threw the first pitch at the MLB All Star match in July 2009.

Barack Obama Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and threw the first pitch at the MLB All Star match in July 2009.

Barack Obama Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and threw the first pitch at the MLB All Star match in July 2009.

Barack Obama Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and threw the first pitch at the MLB All Star match in July 2009.

Barack Obama Barack Obama is a big baseball fan and threw the first pitch at the MLB All Star match in July 2009.