India has recently announced it’s bidding for the 2036 Summer Olympics. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has embraced a form of Hindu nationalism that is repressive of Muslims.
With Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar also weighing bids for the 2036 Summer Games, it’s an opportune time to ask: How are repressive regimes using international sporting events for nation-building purposes?
First and foremost, international sports events provide widespread media coverage and brand exposure. That media lens is attractive for authoritarian and repressive regimes, because having a western audience provides them with the opportunity to “sportswash” — to use the fanfare of the event to distract from unethical conduct in other areas.
