Throughout history, international sports have brought together people from different countries, cultures and languages. Their popularity and foundation of positive values make them ideally placed to help achieve the United Nations’ objectives for development and peace. This is why 6 April is recognised as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
As the world became smaller and travel more accessible, international cricket and association football took off, with the first official matches being held between England and Australia in 1882 and 1904. Then the modern Olympics began in 1896, followed by a number of other global competitions.
The biggest of all is the FIFA World Cup, which takes place every four years and stirs national pride across the globe. Other major events include the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, which are the most prestigious and widely watched competitions in the world. They can raise a country’s profile, impact its image or even influence its identity, and have been seen as tools of diplomacy in the past.
Each sport has an international governing body that sets its rules, makes sure athletes are treated fairly and ensures the event is run properly. These are known as international federations (IFs). They can be non-governmental organisations or government bodies, and many of them are headquartered in Europe – for example, the International Olympic Committee and FIFA.
However, they are not immune to the same power imbalances that exist in the rest of the world. As the organisers of these events, they should offer access to and protection for whistleblowers and hold their participating nations accountable when it comes to human rights, including workers’ rights, in their regions.
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