Can popular global sporting occasions ease tensions?

There is a point of view that well-liked international sports meetings can play an important role in politics, because international disputes and patriotic or nationalism mood could be eased peacefully in this way. This view seems overly optimistic.

First, the effect is not so obvious. In theory, sporting occasions can deepen understanding among people from different parts of the world and help eliminate prejudice and discrimination, but there is no clear evidence to prove that the effect is extensive and universal, or the consequence is direct and significant. For instance, the conflict between Israel and Palestine is always a hot point in spite of the fact that they have attended international sports games together for many times. Similar situation also presents with India and Pakistan.

Secondly, some facts show that hostile thoughts and irrational feelings could be brought into sports meetings. In 1936, the Olympic Games were used as a tool to strengthen patriotism and racism by Hitler. In 1972 Munich Olympics, 11 Israeli athletes were murdered by terrorists. At the present time, some governments use international sporting events to stage their achievements instead of developing friend relationships with other countries. Obviously, all of these would not help to ease patriotic emotions.

The pursuit of peace and intellect is a long and complicated progress. I believe the international sports meetings will contribute to the aid gradually. Meanwhile, it’s not a realistic expectation that remarkable changes could be generated directly and significantly in this way.