Sportswashing is just about everywhere – but it may be backfiring on the countries that do it

<https://theconversation.com/sportswashing-is-just-about-everywhere-but-it-may-be-backfiring-on-the-countries-that-do-it-234810>

"Sportswashing – the act of aligning with an athlete, sports team, or event in
order to distract from unethical practices elsewhere – is driven by
authoritarian states and is just about everywhere.

In June, Russia held the BRICS games, an event involving 82 countries competing
across 27 sports.

Last week, the McLaren Formula 1 team, owned by Bahrain-backed McLaren Racing,
competed at the Qatar Airways British Grand Prix.

This week, the United States men’s basketball team is playing exhibition games
against the national teams of Australia and Serbia, albeit in the United Arab
Emirates.

Next week the LIV Golf tournament, which is financed by Saudi Arabia’s
sovereign wealth fund, will take place in the United Kingdom.

Whereas sportswashing was once limited to a few isolated major events, such as
the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, it now pervades many aspects of
international sport.

It may, however, be backfiring on the countries involved."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics