Should promoters of international sport hold events in countries with poor human rights records?
International sporting bodies wield great influence when deciding which country to hold a major sporting event in. With this great responsibility arises criticisms if these organizations were to choose a country with poor human rights records. While concerns about legitimizing repressive regimes may be valid, it is equally important to consider the positive implications that these events can bring about in countries with poor human rights records. Therefore, this essay will argue for the proposed topic on the basis of the potential to foster social change and provide equal opportunities for athletes of all backgrounds.
To begin with, holding international sport events in such countries can be a catalyst for social change because it brings more awareness to the issues in the host countries. When international events are hosted in these nations, they draw significant attention in the form of sports fans, media outlets, and even the presence of politicians, bringing the country’s human rights issues starkly into the spotlight. An increase in scrutiny can lead to pressure on the host nation to improve its practices, not only from foreigners, but also from within. The power of unified demonstrations cannot be understated, one notable example being Americans’ pressure on the government to cease their involvement in the Vietnam war. Demonstrations from outside nations may even inspire change from within the host country, encouraging various reforms that have to do with human rights. By engaging with these countries instead of isolating them, international sporting bodies can use their influence to bring about positive change.
Furthermore, the disallowing of certain countries from hosting international sport events would be detrimental to the athletes of those countries. Thus, countries with poor human rights records should not be barred from hosting sporting events in order to allow their athletes equal opportunities. Athletes themselves are not affiliated with political institutions and should not be held responsible for the actions of their country’s government. Sport is inherently non-political and must remain so. Excluding certain countries from hosting based on political concerns may unfairly penalize athletes who have dedicated tremendous amounts of their time and efforts into their sport. Additionally, the exclusion of certain countries undermines the very values international sporting bodies seek to promote, that is equality and inclusion. Consequently, countries with poor human rights records should not be barred from hosting events as this would be unfair for the athletes who simply live and compete in that country.
On the other hand, critics may argue that allowing such countries to host international sporting events would legitimize these governments and can be seen as an endorsement of their human rights violations. They argue that this would allow repressive regimes to use the sporting events as a propaganda tool to further their policies. However, the intense global scrutiny that accompanies these events would limit their ability to do this. For example, as seen in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, many visitors were clearly able to see through the Nazis’ propaganda.
Moreover, it is not necessarily the role of international sporting organizations to determine which countries have poor human rights records compared to others. Many countries, especially Western countries, have carried out horrific crimes against humanity and yet they have not been penalized for their actions. When discussing countries with poor human rights records, people more often than not refer to countries in the Middle East or other parts of Asia, presenting a very Eurocentric view that does not take into account their own history of human rights abuses. That is not to say that we should play the blame game, but rather to point out the difficulty in determining which countries to exclude due to their human rights records.
To conclude, this essay reaffirms that no country should be barred from holding international sport events due to poor human rights records. Not only could the opposite bring about positive change and provide all athletes with equal sporting opportunities, it is also particularly difficult to determine which countries to exclude if one were to promote such a policy. How far back in history are we willing to go when determining “poor human rights records”, and how willing are we to penalize all countries with a history of human rights abuses?
