International sports refers to any sport where participants represent at least two countries. While many international sporting events focus on major, world-wide events such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup, there are also numerous recurring annual competitions. Examples include the Ashes test series in men’s rugby and women’s cricket, the Ryder Cup in golf, the ATP/WTA tennis championships and World Tour Series in cycling and triathlon, and the biennial FIBA Basketball World Championships and Athletics World Cups. In addition, the governing bodies of individual sports organize world championship events in those disciplines, such as the International Rowing Federation and the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF).
Some events have become more than just physical competitions between athletes; instead they serve as vehicles for commercialization and international politics. For example, the Olympics were originally meant to bring nations together through sport, but they have become a showcase for large cities, major athletes and international political interference. For example, the 1936 Berlin Olympics were marred by Adolf Hitler’s refusal to recognize African American Jesse Owens for his four gold medals, while the 1992 Munich Olympic Games were a disaster when Arab terrorists killed nine Israeli athletes and took over the stadium.
Increasingly, international sports events are being held in developing countries, where the influx of resources can be used by corrupt governments to further victimize their citizens, as exemplified by the Qatar 2022 World Cup and the 2024 FIBA Olympic Games in Paris. As such, it is important that international sporting events hold participating nations accountable for human rights abuses in their regions.