Politics and sports

• politicians use athletes to send agendas through
• prime minister / politicians can persuade or inhibit athletes from attending olympic games
• boycotts result when a person, organisation or country refuses to deal with another country as a means of protest
• Club level:

  • biassed votes when nominating club presidency / members
  • competing interests between club members in regards to decisions on the allocation of funds
• National level:

  • countries can boycott games
  • athletes and the administration can often come into conflict
• International level:

  • boycotts in international competitions
  • e.g. 1980 Olympic boycott in Moscow, Apartheid boycotts
• Example (1): Moscow Olympics

  • Australia participated but the Prime Minister highly discouraged it
  • Athletes carried the Olympic flag not the Australian flag
• Example (2): Apartheid boycott

  • South Africa was banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from taking part due to its oppressive apartheid regime
  • Gough Whitlam (Australian Prime Minister) led the charge for the boycott
• Example (3): Black power salute - 1968 Mexico

  • Peter Norman suffered unofficial sanction and was ridiculed as the forgotten man of the Black Power Salute after he wore the badge of the Olympic Project for Human Rights
• Example (4): Cathy Freeman

  • She came first in the 400 metre sprint in the Sydney 200 Olympics carrying both flags despite being warned not to