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Sports and Collective Identity: The Effects of Athletics on National Unity

Sports are a formidable force for good at the national level, positively contributing to the formation of national identity. They also engender national unity and are an important mechanism of foreign policy, as they offer a unique arena through which diplomatic relations may be pursued. International sporting competitions like the Olympics and the World Cup bring together dignitaries, athletes, heads of state, and other national representatives, creating a forum that assists in the development of understanding and cooperation. Thus, despite evidence of their globalization, sports continue to retain an important national core that can act as a channel of soft power. Through the sports medium, underserved nations across the world create for themselves an identity and a voice, enabling them to be heard on the international stage. For many countries, sports are a major component of national identity. Often, these countries are defined as much by their sporting pursuits as they are by their politics, economy, and geography. National sports act as a common thread, woven through society to connect citizens to one another. Such sports vary from nation to nation; in Canada, hockey is king. New Zealanders relish rugby, while India’s most widely followed sport is cricket. In China, table tennis is a significant part of the national fabric. American football fervor is ubiquitous in the United States, and, while soccer is prevalent worldwide, every nation exhibits its own distinct iteration of the game. World leaders recognize the importance of sports, both as an element of their nations’ cultures and as a tool for diplomacy. Heads of state often utilize international sporting events as an opportunity to represent their country. The 2010 World Cup final alone, held in South Africa, was attended by at least fifteen heads of state, including delegations from all over Africa. 1 German Chancellor Angela Merkel and South African President Jacob Zuma also attended. The Opening Ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver drew similar numbers of dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Jan Fischer of the Czech Republic, Prince Albert II of