Sports, Politics and Society

Sports, politics and society can merge in powerful, complex and unexpected ways. Sports, as is the case with other forms of entertainment, are linked to social and political issues. Social and political issues are also linked to sports. Whichever way one looks at it, there is a connection of some sort.

One of the most iconic moments in the history of sports, and one which was as powerful politically and socially as it was iconic, was a moment during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico when two African American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, raised a black-gloved fist during the playing of the US national anthem. Their action was meant to show solidarity with oppressed black people worldwide.

More recently, Colin Kaepernick, a quarterback in the US’ National Football League (NFL) refused to stand for the national anthem before games, preferring to take the knee instead, a sign of support for racial justice. This act of taking the knee has since spread to other sports, notably football and cricket as a way for players to call attention to racism, especially anti-black racism.

Beyond racism, other societal issues have also been addressed through sports in recent times.

Sports have served as a useful platform to address other issues such as equal pay for women and men, gun violence, and war.

The sports, politics and society nexus is typically amplified during major sporting events, perhaps none more so than the Football World Cup, as is currently the case with the ongoing games in Qatar.

Since Qatar was awarded the rights to host the 2022 World Cup, the nation has come under intense scrutiny, ranging from issues such as corruption in sports, migrant workers’ rights as well as the rights of women and people in same sex relationships. Many of the issues are predominantly being raised by news organisations, politicians and commentators in the Western world.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which once stood out from other Western media houses as a more balanced broadcaster, refused to air the opening ceremony of the Qatar World Cup live. In early November, Human Rights Watch, an international non-governmental human rights advocacy organisation, published a 42-page report summarising what it described as, quote “the numerous human rights concerns surrounding Qatar’s preparations for the 2022 World Cup”, unquote.

Without downplaying the importance of any of the issues for which Qatar is being taken to task on, it is important to highlight the hypocrisy which is apparent in the entire situation. Whenever a major global sporting event is taking place outside the US or Europe, it seems that the level of reporting takes on a decidedly negative tone.

When South Africa hosted the Football World Cup in 2010, and Brazil four years later, many in the Western world preferred to focus on both countries’ poverty, inequality, crime and other social problems. These are all important issues, but their level of importance has not been matched with the same level of attention since the show piece event ended.

In 2024, the Olympic Games will be held in Paris, France. In 2026, the Football World Cup will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico. Perhaps we will hear more about the indifferent attitude in France and elsewhere in Europe to the plight of migrants, including those dying on the seas trying to reach their shores. If we are lucky, we may also hear much more about the US’ continuing struggles with racism, or its treatment of migrants seeking to enter US territory. It is likely that these issues will fade into the background.

The sports, politics and society connection is an almost inseparable one. Sports can serve as a formidable platform to address problems in politics and in society. However, the power of sports to drive meaningful change diminishes in the face of clear biases.

Joel K Richards is a Vincentian national living and working in Europe in the field of international trade and development.
Email: joelkmrichards@gmail.com