International sports are events that pit two or more countries against each other in a sport, whether it is soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball, or golf. These events are governed by rules set out by international federations, which are independent organisations responsible for the administration of their sports at the international level. The most famous of these is the FIFA World Cup, which draws fans from all over the world to watch teams compete for the coveted trophy (a little more than a foot tall).
Some governing bodies are based in a single country and have an exclusive right to administer their sport. For example, the Olympics is governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which only recognises sports that meet certain criteria for being considered a “sport”. Some of these are physical activities such as football or rowing, while others are more ephemeral and intangible, like the honours awarded to the winners of a particular competition.
Governments worldwide support a significant amount of sporting activity. In the past, this support was justified as a means to promote military preparedness, but nowadays the argument often centres on the need for physical fitness and social inclusion. Regardless of the motivations for government intervention, the results of international sporting events can have profound impacts on nations and their culture.
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