When it comes to learning about a country’s culture, nothing beats attending a sporting event. The sounds of the crowd cheering for their hometown team and the feeling you get when your favorite player scores a goal are like no other. This is why international students and interns love watching local games in their host cities.
International sports are a big deal, with events like the Olympics, FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championships making the news. These events can affect the political, economic and cultural aspects of countries. They also influence how a nation and its citizens are perceived by the outside world.
One of the main outcomes of hosting a major international sporting event is that it improves a city or country’s image in the eyes of the world. The Olympics, for example, can transform a previously unpopular city into an international tourist destination. In addition, major sporting events often bring significant revenue to the hosting nation or city. In London for example, the 2012 Olympics brought in about $6billion from tourists alone (Telegraph).
As international travel becomes easier, sport is increasingly becoming a global phenomenon. The first official international game took place in 1844, when a cricket match between the United States and Canada was played in New York City. This was followed in 1896 by the inaugural Olympic Games and then in 1930 by the first FIFA World Cup.