The term international sports refers to any sport in which the participants represent more than one country. Examples include the Olympics, FIFA World Cup and cricket. International events are usually organised by an organisation such as a FIFA or Olympic committee.
Hosting a major international sporting event brings huge benefits to the host city and nation. These include economic benefits such as increased tourism. But there are also ‘intangible’ benefits such as improved transport infrastructure, urban regeneration and new parks.
Often, a city’s selection for a major international event is the result of a competitive process. Typically, the bids are assessed against criteria such as sustainability, cost, venue capacity and previous success at hosting the Games or a similar event.
As well as bringing economic rewards, a successful hosting of a major international event can have a huge impact on the national and regional image of the city. For example, London’s 2012 Olympics led to a boom in tourism which helped to transform the city into a world tourist destination.
However, it is important to note that not all cities or countries benefit equally from hosting a major international sporting event. This is particularly the case in low and middle income countries. In fact, the organisers of the FIFA World Cup and Olympics have come under criticism for their lack of consideration for human rights abuses in bid cities. This was highlighted by the case of Brazil, China and South Africa, where athletes were often subject to serious health issues due to poor living conditions, including corruption and discrimination against migrant workers.