Whether you’re rooting for the World Cup or watching a big-league game, international sports can be exciting and exhilarating. But they can also be a window into a country’s culture and identity, even for those who aren’t super-sporty. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you head out to the next big game.
International sport is any competition that involves participants representing at least two countries. The most well-known international events are the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.
Hosting a major international sporting event brings prestige to the city and country that hosts it, improving their global standing. It can also lead to tangible and intangible improvements to the city, such as better transport infrastructure and new parks.
The Olympics and FIFA have a bidding process to decide which cities will host them, which is designed to ensure the best possible outcome for each bid city. In addition, both the IOC and FIFA recognise that the success of a major international sporting event should leave a lasting legacy.
For example, the 2022 World Cup will be hosted by Qatar despite not having a long footballing tradition in the country. But if the Qatari team can produce a good performance and the local population get behind them, they could make an excellent host. The same might be true for the upcoming winter Games, to be held in Milan and the Italian Alps. This event is sure to attract the attention of North American fans keen to see a return to NHL men’s ice hockey at the Winter Games.