Popular events like the
Football World Cup and other international sporting occasions are essential in
easing international tension and releasing patriotic emotions in a safe way.
Every four years, the whole
world stops to watch international sporting events such as the Olympics and the
Football World Cup in which athletes show their best performance to make their
country proud. These sporting occasions have proved to be helpful in easing
international tension in difficult times when powerful leaders were trying to
control the world’s economy and other governments were fighting over the land.
The Olympic Games are one of
the best examples which prove how sporting events can bring nations together,
at least temporarily. From the ancient History, when Greeks and Romans would
interrupt battles to participate in the games, to the more recent international
disputes, when athletes from Palestine and Israel would forget their
differences, compete peacefully and even embrace each other after an event.
Moreover, these popular events have called the world’s attention to the
terrible consequences of wars; thus some leaders have tried to reach agreements
to end their disputes and live peacefully.
Similarly, international
sporting events show benefits in some developing countries which live in a
daily internal civil war. For example, Brazil has a high rate of unemployment,
lack of education, hunger, crime, poverty and corruption which leads to an
immense embarrassment of being Brazilian and a low self-esteem. However, when
the Football World Cup starts, the Brazilian squad, which is considered the
best team in the world, provokes an amazing feeling of pride in their country.
Most people seem to forget all their problems and even the criminal activity
decreases. They paint roads with the national colors, wear the Brazilian team
shirts and buy national flags. Moreover, the competition brings families and
neighbors together and even rival gangs watch the games and celebrate
peacefully.
In conclusion, popular sporting
events play an important role in decreasing international tensions and
liberating patriotic feelings as history has shown.
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