Rathi Kamalanathan (University of Toronto)
When it comes it major sporting events, it’s not just a game. International sporting events are powerful events, and play a huge role in a country’s image, and speaking up against human rights abuses. The underlying principle enforced in major sporting eventsis fair play and sportsmanship; penalties and disqualifications are given to those who do not play fairly or by the rules. In the past, sports boycotts have been instrumental in effectively sending messages to regimes and governments who were engaged in human rights abuses. By boycotting sporting events and teams of regimes that are known to be violating human rights abusing, the international community sends out a message saying that human rights abuse will not be tolerated. For example, the exclusion of South Africa’s Apartheid Regime of sporting events between 1960-1970 helped isolate the regime and its supporters, and sent the message strong and clear that until they got their act together, they would not be invited to participate in a sport where fair play was integral. If a country cannot pair fairly in their country, and treat their citizens with equity and equality, how can we, the international community accept their presence in a sporting event where you must play fairly? The 1936 Olympics took place in Berlin, Germany, but would the world have consented to it if they knew of all the Nazi concentration camps that were being built? Boycotting teams that are committing human rights abuses sends the message that human rights abuses will not be tolerated.
Sports reaches the heart of people, and when a sports event is boycotted, the message is heard not only by the regime, but by the people. President Reagan told South Korea that unless democracy was brought in, the US would boycott the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and guess what happened? Democracy was introduced in South Korea. More than 60 nations boycotted the Moscow Olympics, because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and voiced their discontent. The USSR crumbled soon after.
Sports influences politics. Sports are for the people. Politics are for the people. Why not use sports to make the political atmosphere better for the people? Strike out a team, and score a goal for the people.
