International sports are global events that bring together people from all over the world to cheer for their local team. In many countries, sports are a major part of local culture and it can be a great way to experience it, especially as a foreign student or intern. International sports can also bring out the best in people, for example, the incredible unity of the crowd when a team scores and the country goes wild!
Throughout history, sport has served as an instrument for political change. It has brought nations together through war, helped promote peace and reconciliation, and promoted social development and equality. But it can also be a source of conflict, as in the case of the 1936 Olympic Games when Adolf Hitler refused to recognize Jesse Owens’ gold medals. Hosting international sporting events can also bring prestige and profits to global sports organizations and repressive regimes. These gains often come at the expense of human rights and justice.
International law has been developed to address the unique issues that sports and athletes face. International sports are regulated by international bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which oversees the organization of the Olympics, and by international sports federations, non-governmental organizations responsible for the regulation of their own sport at the international level. These IFs cooperate with the IOC and are recognized by it. For more on the legal aspects of international sports, see James A.R. Nafziger, Transnational law of sports and IFs; David McArdle, Sports law: theory and practice; and Dimitrios Panagiotopoulos, Sports law: a European dimension.