The global sports industry has become a major force for business, with a value estimated to be over US$350 billion. It is bigger than many countries’ entire economy, making it an important source of employment, entertainment and national pride. This clout means that the sporting world has significant influence on politics and culture.
International sport is when two or more nations compete against each other in a sport, usually involving a match between an individual and a team from another country. International events are often broadcast worldwide, and some even attract huge crowds. This makes them an influential form of cultural diplomacy, and they can also act as a platform for promoting social change.
The idea of international sports has roots in ancient Greece, where city states would travel to Olympia for a series of competitions, including athletic and combat events. According to British Museum archaeologist Judith Swaddling, this meant that any internal struggles would be put on hold for the duration of the games, and this set a precedent for using sport as a form of diplomacy.
As travel became easier, international competition in different sports began to spread. The first official international game was a cricket match between England and Australia in 1882, followed by the first modern Olympic Games in 1904. The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) established itself in 1904 to formalise the sport’s growing reach, and televised matches further enhanced its popularity.
While the Olympics are supposed to unite the world through sport, international politics has frequently interfered. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, for example, Adolf Hitler refused to acknowledge Jesse Owens’ victory because he feared it might inspire black Americans to revolt against Nazi rule. As the globalisation of sport continues, it is crucial that the industry focuses on human rights and sustainability, and that it offers a fair opportunity for athletes from all backgrounds to succeed.