Amid intensifying international conflicts, concerns are growing surrounding the LA28 Olympics and FIFA World Cup, as some worry they may become a stage for political protest.
The sporting events have been used for over a century as a mechanism to promote peace between nations. Given the current state of international relations they hold the chance of representing instability and unrest.
Jonathon Aronson, a professor of communication and political science at the University of Southern California shared a brief history on how the Olympics have served as a place of protest, banning and boycotting in the past.
“The last time there was an Olympics in Los Angeles, Russia did not attend because America did not attend Moscow in 1980, Aronson said. “There have been other cases of teams that were banned or just decided not to come. There’s a long history since the Olympics started, of doing that.”
Aronson said a pattern can be seen between the games and the political state of the world. When certain nations, especially the nation hosting an event, are involved in serious conflicts with other countries, world sporting events tend to get caught in the crossfire.
Robert English, an associate professor of international relations at USC shared how the current state of the world could play out at the Olympics.
“The passions around Israel, Gaza, Russia, Ukraine—and now us, Israel and Iran—are just adding more fuel and creating more potential flash points for political action,” he said.
English said with current political tensions, the chance of these international competitions playing host for political activism is high.
“I expect that there will be political statements, demonstrations, protests or even boycotts,” said English.
Some students said they think international tension will echo throughout the sporting events and shouldn’t be dismissed.
“When conflict is happening so far away, we feel kind of detached to it as it’s not something that impacts us on a day-to-day basis,” said Sue Yan, a senior anthropology and economics major.
“[Athletes] try to surpass this physical limitation that ordinary people can’t push through… it’s a very uniting principle [..] it’s deeply intertwined with the concepts of justice, like the notions of equality, respect and harmony,” said Yan.
Sabeeh Mirza, a junior majoring in political economy, said the sporting events could serve as an opportunity to overcome global tensions.
“The Olympics have really made it through so many geopolitical conflicts so many times,” Mirza said. “The Olympics are this steady force that exists in the ether of their individuality.”