the influence politics and religion have on sports
To comprehend the influence politics and religion have on sports, an individual should understand the relationship between society and sport. From the time immemorial, sports have always depicted the societal values and provided insight into how various individuals have used their free time. More so, there are religious beliefs that are always associated with sports. As a matter of fact, the feudal monarchs held various sports competitions to showcase their mammon, consenting the cavaliers to prove their chivalry and battle prowess. Additionally, some religious practices, such as determining who was for rituals, greatly depended on sports amongst the Mayans. In other instances, sports have entered into a serious conflict with religion, coercing the religious leaders to reject if their emphasis on dissuade devotion to godly activities is due to its emphasis on the secular ways of doing things. More than often, religion has utilized sports as an avenue for evangelizing.
To start with, both modern and ancient Olympics have always been used to accomplish political will that may have greater repercussions to innocent sportspeople. In primeval Greece, sovereign states gathered to deliberate on politics, form military and political alliances, and have the fun of military triumphs when their representatives contested in games of strength and races. Modern Olympics have also been used to accomplish the same purpose, especially in the mid-twentieth century. It is in the Mexico City Olympics where the US Olympians Smith John Carlos collaborated with the black power movement in 1968. Additionally, non-political Olympics have, at times, be used for political reasons. For example, the assassination of eleven Israelites athletes in the 1972 Munich Olympics by Palestinian terrorist groups.
However, sports have been used to protest against the abuse of civic rights. The world’s best athletes, such as Arthur Ashe and Jim Brown, have always used the sports opportunity to air their grievances. Some use this platform to express their views and perhaps condemn the injustices that may be prevailing in the society. Though some team owners have implemented some policies to hinder players from protesting during the sports day, they have always acted as motivating factors. A recent case is observed when Eddie Vedder joined his colleagues to demonstrate sports discrimination against black players.
Religion may influence discriminatory practices in sports activities. Research has revealed the shocking truth that females have a higher likelihood of being restricted from sports competition. This because they are viewed as bearer of divine practices and values. More so, the insensitivity of sports towards religion may hinder talented competitors from participating in the competition. For example, a talented Muslim lady may fail to participate in a swimming competition since they may consider swimming to conflict with their religious requirement of hiding their dishabille.
However, religion has meticulously constructively influenced sports. It is associated with motivation and perhaps better, perhaps in sports competitions. Various plays have usually depended on their perceived deity to win in a certain type of completion. Some even go ahead to make a short player requesting their supernatural being to help them exploit their best. Additionally, they have developed a habit of conducting religious practices after attaining their desired sports success. Hernandez and Messi are some of the footballers known to reveal their beliefs during sporting activities and sometimes even to make a prayer while playing on the pitch.
Both politics and different religion calls sport to the official to enhance maximum upright practices in sporting activities; otherwise, the law should take its course. Raiding and arresting the universe’s most powerful officials in soccer by Swiss Enforcement was one of the historical events. Neither politics nor religion would wish that such kind of corruption occurs again in sports governing authority. This is beneficial to me as it always reminds me to be trustworthy with my sport administrative duties.