As anyone who’s watched a live match of football, soccer or cricket knows, there is nothing quite like the crowd reaction at a sporting event to get you into the spirit of the game. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of sports, there is something about hearing the home team cheer from the stands that evokes a sense of pride and belonging that makes you feel like you’re part of the city you’re visiting on your study or intern abroad program.
Whether it’s the Olympics or FIFA World Cup, international sports are a huge part of global culture. The financial clout of sport is also undeniable, with the sports economy including media rights and licensing as well as sponsorship and merchandise. There is also the growing market of eSports, which has been growing rapidly thanks to recent technological advancements in video games.
There are a number of international multi-sport events that take place every year, a few of which include the Olympic Games, The FIFA World Cup and The Rugby World Cup. The Olympic Games is the world’s premier multi-sport competition that takes place every four years and includes over 35 different sports.
There is also the European Games, which are a multi-sport competition that follows the model of the Olympic Games but is only open to athletes from European nations. The Paralympic Games is a similar event, with both able-bodied and disabled athletes competing in a variety of sports.