The overlapping realms of sports and politics

Traditionally an ordinary form of entertainment, sports has become an intricate system entangled with politics, society, globalization, and technology. They serve as a symbol of our society's excellence and promote both domestic as well as international integration. Sports have been used by rulers throughout history for a variety of objectives, such as improving physical health, recreational activities, and strategic goals. 

Athletes competing in sporting competitions must adhere to a set of regulations regardless of the country of origin, culture, race, social status, or political beliefs. Sports and nationalism frequently go hand in hand, acting as venues for international competitions. Hitler’s promotion of Aryan Nationalism during the 1936 Berlin Olympics serves as an example of how the Olympics, the largest international sports festival, have been utilized strategically. The Olympics have also been impacted by boycotts and political unrest, such as the US boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the Soviet Union's subsequent boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. 

South Africa was excluded from the 1964 Tokyo Olympics due to apartheid, and a global treaty against apartheid in sports was eventually ratified. As seen by the 1970 ‘Soccer War'’ between Honduras and El Salvador during World Cup qualification matches, sports have sometimes exacerbated hostilities. The 1972 Olympic men's basketball championship game between the USSR and the USA sparked protests and controversies due to the referee's decision, and the US players all decided to refuse their silver medals. Additionally, some sports people use their position in the sport to gain political influence and power. On 18 Aug 2018, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan was sworn in as the 22nd Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Idi Amin, the 1971–1979 president of Uganda, was the light heavyweight boxing champion of that nation. Football legend Pele was Brazil’s first Minister for Sports, holding the position from 1995 until 1998.

The collision

It is essential to comprehend the concepts ‘politics’ and ‘sports’ separately before examining their intricate relationship. Politics entails formalized processes to settle disputes and advance shared objectives through the pursuit of power. Sports are physical pursuits that emphasize fitness, wellbeing, camaraderie, and competitiveness. 

The Olympics and the FIFA World Cup are significant athletic events that provide a stage for diplomatic goals. Sports have mirrored and been inspired by political and social movements throughout history, including those for women’s rights, racial rights, and environmental activism. General Pervez Musharraf traveled to India for a cricket match in 2005. The relationship between politics and sports is demonstrated by incidents like Mesut Ozil’s withdrawal from football in 2018 due to racism, football players’ protests against racism and police violence following the grisly death of George Floyd in 2020, and a ban on political slogans on player equipment. 

Politics and athletics are best merged when athletes take political positions. China withdrew from the 1960 Summer Olympics in 1958 because it opposed US desires, forcing Taiwan to compete under a new name

Athletes have used their platforms to express opinions on politics, and politicians and other influential people have exploited sports for political ends. Notably, Muhammad Ali’s unwillingness to serve in the Vietnam War for the US Army led to a boxing ban. A cricket pitch was dug up in New Delhi by Hindu Militants in 1999 to oppose a Pakistani team's visit, and historical incidents like the Munich Olympics terrorist attack in 1972, in which 11 members of the Israeli Olympic Team were kidnapped and killed by Palestinian terrorist group Black September, indicate the possibility for rivalry and political tensions.

Sports and politics regularly converge, sometimes bringing governments together and other times igniting retaliation. Politics and athletics are best merged when athletes take political positions. China withdrew from the 1960 Summer Olympics in 1958 because it opposed US desires, forcing Taiwan to compete under a new name. Taiwanese athletes marched in protest while carrying a placard that said, ‘UNDER PROTEST’. Politicians often make use of sports to bring people together, as shown at the 1995 Rugby World Cup presentation by President Mandela to the captain of South Africa. Athletes have also been punished for their political remarks. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were fined for raising their fists during the US national anthem before the 1968 Olympics. 

Athletes may also affiliate with political parties, as seen by Andry Shevchenko of Ukraine joining Ukraine-Forward following his retirement from football in 2012 and Gautam Gambhir of India joining the BJP in 2019. Politicians often serve as the head of sports organizations, as evidenced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s tenure as president of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) before his resignation in June 2019. The question of whether athletes should get involved in politics comes up. Through a careful examination of these occurrences, it becomes clear how sports and politics are intertwined. 

Drawing a line

It is frequently said that politics should not be tolerated in sports. Since political culture, beliefs, activists, leaders, and organizations are all engaged directly or indirectly, it is not feasible to completely separate politics from sports. Athletes will keep speaking out against injustice, racism, and prejudice in society. Recent decades have seen sports competitions turn into battlegrounds, as exemplified by the Dinamo Zagreb-Red Star Belgrade Riot of May 1990, where an infamous football riot broke out between the fans of Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade, and the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in March 2009. 

Sports are adversely affected and perform poorly when politics gets involved. Major sporting events have been affected by political conflicts, such as the cancellation of the Olympic Games during World Wars I and II and the postponement of the SAF Games in 2001 and 2002 due to 9/11 attacks and tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. The commercialisation of sports has benefits as well as drawbacks, including the generation of revenue, improvement in the players’ standards of living, and scandals and instances of match-fixing. FIFA's revenue peaked in the FIFA World Cup 2022, held in Qatar, at $6,314m, making it the most profitable tournament in the association’s history. 

On 20 Jan 2021, three Indonesian players were permanently barred from all badminton-related activities by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), following their conviction for crimes involving match-fixing, match manipulation, and betting. Politics and sports exist together, and it is unrealistic to separate them based on all the facts and events specified above. However, we may reduce political influence by implementing certain excellent sports governance practices. Conditions that forbid those with political backgrounds from obtaining roles in sporting organizations ought to be upheld. A competent athlete should oversee sports administration and fix systemic inadequacies. A skilled athlete should oversee sports administration and solve systemic gaps. 

Sports events and fields rely substantially on technology, such as the instant replay system used to broadcast games and assist referees in making decisions. During the selection process, new devices may be utilized to monitor athletes' performance across a range of sports and assist in developing coaching tactics and training programs. Restricting corruption, criminality, and cheating in sports is a must to spruce up sports and transform the sports sector into an exemplary system.

In a nutshell, sports are used as diplomatic instruments to advance nationalism, create international ties, and achieve political clout. Sports are used by both totalitarian and democratic regimes to accomplish their own agendas. It enables us to develop ethical values and emphasize the worth of social behavior. Globalization and commercialization may both be facilitated through sports. The combination of politics and sports is evident in numerous cases, highlighting the inseparability of the two.