In today’s global society, international sports is all about more than just competing against other teams or players – they are also about politics, economics and other cultural aspects of the countries and continents involved. In fact, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a culture while abroad is to go and watch one of their local sports teams play.
Whether you are into soccer, rugby or the popular American sport of cricket, there is nothing like watching a home team win and hear the crowd go wild! It instantly makes you feel a part of the city, even as a visitor.
The most well-known international sporting events are the Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup, which is a multi-sport event held every four years. Both events have a competitive process for selecting cities to host them. Generally, the chosen locations have some established cultural connection to the sport being hosted, and they have to show that hosting the event will lead to sustainable improvements in the community.
The Olympic Games are organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which oversees a wide range of activities connected to the Olympic Movement. The IOC also recognises International Federations (IFs) – independent non-governmental organisations that administer their own sports at world level and are affiliated with the IOC. Each IF is responsible for the integrity of its sport at the highest level, and it monitors the everyday administration of its discipline, including the practical organisation of competitions, for example during the Olympic Games.