From the Olympics to the FIFA World Cup, international sports are global events that bring people together in a spirit of competition and rivalry. They are also an important part of a city’s culture and can be enjoyed by students and interns abroad, who often become fans of local club teams.
The first international sports were the ancient Olympic Games, a series of contests between representatives of city states in Ancient Greece featuring mostly athletic but also combat and chariot racing events. The Olympics were meant to be a peaceful competition where all internal struggles were put on hold for the duration of the event.
Today, international sport is organised by a network of governing bodies and international associations, known as the International Federations (IFs). The IFs are organisations recognised by the IOC to govern one or more sports at world level and supervise their everyday administration. They monitor the development of athletes, guarantee regular organisation of competitions and respect for fair play.
Despite this, international sport still faces major challenges in its quest to be a global peacemaker. Power imbalances are still prevalent, with elite athletes far more successful than their less-gifted counterparts, while corruption and nepotism in host countries can lead to money being diverted from the local population to benefit a select few. This was illustrated in Trondheim, Norway, this month when a group called Play the Game urged the organisers of the 2025 world ski championships to ensure a level playing field and transparency.