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Sport Washing

The document discusses the concept of sportwashing, where countries use sports events to improve their reputations while diverting attention from human rights abuses. It provides historical and contemporary examples, including Nazi Germany, Argentina, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China, highlighting their strategic use of sports for image enhancement. The document raises moral dilemmas regarding the appropriateness of allowing countries with poor human rights records to host major sports events.

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artemtovkes02
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52 views15 pages

Sport Washing

The document discusses the concept of sportwashing, where countries use sports events to improve their reputations while diverting attention from human rights abuses. It provides historical and contemporary examples, including Nazi Germany, Argentina, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and China, highlighting their strategic use of sports for image enhancement. The document raises moral dilemmas regarding the appropriateness of allowing countries with poor human rights records to host major sports events.

Uploaded by

artemtovkes02
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Truth

Behind
Sportswashing

Prepeared by:
Dominik Zawadziński
Artem Tovkes
Jakub Krzemiński
Definition of Sportwashing

● Sportwashing is the practice


of using sports events or
sports teams to improve a
country's reputation,
especially to divert attention
from its human rights
abuses or other unethical
practices.
Early Examples of sportwashing

Nazi Germany (1936 Olympics): Used Argentina (1978 World Cup): The
the Berlin Olympics to promote military junta used the World
its regime. Cup to overshadow its human
rights abuses.
Some examples of sportwashing these
days
Saudi Arabia

Arab countries from


the Middle East

Qatar

Nagorno-Karabakh

Gazprom
Gazprom Case
They sponsored the German football club Schalke 04 and the Champions
League during the same period as the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas
pipeline project.
Nord Stream 2 on map
Nagorno-
Karabakh Case
Arab Countries from the Middle East
Qatar
Qatar has strategically used sports to improve its international image.
Hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup was a significant part of this effort.
Qatar also hosts other major sporting events, such as Formula 1 GP, the
basketball World Cup, and the WTA 1000 tennis tournament in Doha
Saudi Arabia

● Saudi Arabia has spent billions to


enhance its football league by
transferring star players from
Europe, starting with Cristiano
Ronaldo. They have also organized
significant events like the Tyson Fury
vs. Alexander Usyk boxing match
and have their own Formula 1 GP.
Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034
football World Cup, aiming to
present itself as a modern, Western-
like country.
Rwanda Case
Rwanda, a country where many live in poverty, is led by the
controversial President Paul Kagame. To rebrand Rwanda as a
rapidly developing and tourist-friendly nation, Kagame has
sponsored several football clubs with the slogan “Visit Rwanda.”
This initiative aims to shift international perception despite the
country’s ongoing struggles.
China
● China has used major sporting events like the
Beijing 2008 Olympics and the 2022 Winter
Olympics to project a powerful and positive
international image.
Moral Dilemmas
Should countries with poor human rights records be allowed to host
major sports events? Can sports remain neutral, free from political
influences?
Sportwashing intertwines sports with global politics,
making it essential to understand its mechanisms and
implications for making informed decisions as consumers,
fans, and global citizens.
Thanks!
Do you have any questions?

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, and


includes icons by Flaticon, and infographics & images by Freepik

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