International sports bring together people from all over the globe to share a love of sport and help to build world peace and understanding. But as sport becomes more global, the power imbalances that exist between countries are becoming more apparent. For example, in a study of international athletics by Linkoping University in Sweden, researchers found that European competitors had entire medical teams on hand, while young East African athletes often had no support apart from family members. This is partly because international organisations like FIFA and the IOC are based in Europe, meaning that they have the first say on who gets to play for their nation and which rules they make.
Soccer (or football) is the most popular sport in the world, with a global fan base of over 4 billion. Its accessibility – requiring only a ball and open space – as well as events like the FIFA World Cup and the European leagues of La Liga, Serie A and the English Premier League attract millions of viewers.
Cricket is another global favourite, with 2.5 billion fans. Its formats ranging from Test matches to the high-octane T20 leagues of the Indian Premier League capture audiences worldwide.
Surfing is a global passion, with fans across the US, Australia and Brazil embracing its athleticism and deep connection to the ocean. Wrestling, spanning professional entertainment and Olympic disciplines like freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, is popular for its theatricality and physicality.
