International sports occur when two or more countries compete in a particular sport. This can take place either on neutral territory, as in the case of a soccer match between England and France in Wembley Stadium, London, or at the home ground of one of the competing teams, such as a baseball game between the Dodgers and Giants at Citi Field in New York City.
While international sporting events are entertaining to watch, they’re even more fun to experience in person. From roaring along with the crowd at the FIFA World Cup to feeling the whine of Formula 1 engines in your chest, there’s no better way to immerse yourself in another culture than by taking part in its most iconic sports events.
But while global sport can bring nations together, it also has the potential to divide them. For example, the death of an African footballer in Qatar last year, reportedly due to his lack of access to medical care, raised questions about how much influence corrupt regimes have on athletes. And while the Olympic Games are supposed to unite the world through sport, they have also been used by authoritarian leaders to promote themselves.
Fortunately, there are many ways to fight back against this trend, from signing international treaties and declarations that address human rights issues in sport to supporting a range of non-governmental organisations. This guide explains how to get involved in these efforts, including by learning about the key institutions and organizations that govern international sports, dispute settlement mechanisms for sport and how to support the fight against discrimination in the world of sports.
