🎩0️⃣4️⃣8️⃣ Michael Turner
By Kylie Richmond
Photo: Michael Turner.
Meet Michael Turner, Counselor for Cultural Affairs at U.S. Embassy France (2022-present) who has taken great strides in using sports to connect the United States and France over the past two years.
Michael’s Story
Photo: Michael Turner.
Turner’s life has been a global tapestry of diverse experiences, cultural immersion, and a passion for connection. Growing up in a military family, his early years were spent in an array of countries including Iran, Panama, and Thailand, where he graduated high school. This rich cultural upbringing laid the foundation for a life in international relations and diplomacy.
Returning to his home state of Texas, Turner pursued a degree in Theater at Texas Tech University. It was here that he took an unexpected turn towards fencing, a sport he saw as both dramatic and a unique skill to add to his resume. The allure of “proficiency in swordplay” was too tempting to pass up for someone who had always seen himself as a theater kid.
Turner expanded his horizons further by studying abroad in the United Kingdom, an experience that deepened his appreciation for global cultures. However, it was a childhood admiration for Spiderman that drew him to New York City post-graduation, where he embarked on a journey to gain his Masters in education. After earning his Masters, Turner taught English in Japan where he quickly learned that a career in teaching was not for him and that he needed to find an easier job. So he joined the Foreign Service.
Life in the Foreign Service took him from the vibrant streets of Tokyo, where he served as the cultural and sports attaché, to his current role in Paris where his openness to new experiences, a hallmark of his career, came in handy.
The Sports Diplomacy Connection
Turner has embraced the unique opportunity to foster connections between the United States and France through sports, leveraging the excitement surrounding the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. He and his team created and launched the “Games for All” campaign, which promoted three themes: healthy body, healthy mind, and healthy planet. This initiative reflected a holistic approach to well-being, in recognition that mental health, physical health, and environmental sustainability are intrinsically linked.
He believes that prominent athletes speaking out about mental health in recent years has helped destigmatize these issues, encouraging more open discussions and positive changes. While the French community has traditionally been more reserved on such topics, there is a growing shift, thanks in part to these high-profile endorsements.
The connection between Los Angeles and Paris has been a focal point for Turner, who in June 2024 attended a mural presentation by artists from both cities. This cultural exchange underscores the enduring bond between the United States and France, which have historically supported each other in times of need, from the U.S. War for Independence to the liberation of France in World War II.
Turner championed the idea that sports are more than just games—they are powerful tools for diplomacy and cultural exchange. He pointed to a memorable experience from his time in Japan as just one illustration of the unique bond sports can create across cultures.
“If you ever get the chance to go to a Japanese ball game, I think the fan experience is different,” he said.
“The first time I went to a ball game in Japan, I went to Koshien Stadium, which is the oldest stadium. Babe Ruth played there in 1930. It’s right in Osaka. The Hanshin Tigers play there. The Hanshin Tigers at the time were the losingest team. I was rooting for them, naturally. They got slaughtered. But what was cool was the fans… They saw a bunch of Americans or foreigners. We had bought the hats and everything. One guy took his Hanshin Tiger pin and stuck it on my hat. I was like, ‘Oh, Hanshin Tigers for life!’”
Turner noted the importance of using the Paris 2024 Games to promote inclusivity and diversity. Paris and Los Angeles worked together to facilitate collaborations, including how officers from the Los Angeles Police Department worked with Parisian authorities on security measures for the events. This partnership not only enhanced safety but also exemplified the spirit of cooperation necessary in a post-COVID world.
This journey from a theater enthusiast and fencing aficionado to a key figure in cultural diplomacy is a testament to the power of embracing diverse experiences and the profound impact of international connections. As he navigated his career in France, Turner remained a steadfast advocate for using sports to bridge cultural divides and strengthen the ties that bind us all.
Mapping the Connection
From Lubbock, Texas to Paris, France