(Reuters) – The unification of sport and politics was once seen as an unwelcome marriage. However, in today’s increasingly divided world, sporting platforms have evolved into outlets for social activism. From athletes to fans, the pursuit of disobedience or disruption has become a common strategy for transcending the boundaries of the arena and conveying personal views to millions of people worldwide.
When Colin Kaepernick knelt during the U.S. national anthem at NFL games in 2016 to protest racial injustice, it sparked debates and divided a country. However, his gesture has since been embraced by top leagues worldwide, especially England’s Premier League – European soccer’s most lucrative and popular competition. A spillover from the Black Lives Matter movement, the league’s players continue to fight discrimination by taking a knee before some games this season.
“We are unified in our belief that any form of discrimination has no place within football or wider society,” declared the 20 Premier League captains earlier this year. “We are committed to using our platform to help celebrate diversity and show our support in the fight against racism.”
The protests are, to a large extent, a response to the rampant online abuse that players face every week. Social media platforms appear unable to stem the flow of unbridled rage and racial abuse landing in players’ inboxes. In India, Olympic medal-winning wrestlers discovered the hard way the consequences of using their popularity to protest against the ruling party. They were detained when they intensified their protest demanding the arrest of their federation chief over allegations of sexual harassment of female athletes.
On the other hand, sporting platforms have also been a stage for spectators to amplify causes and 2023 was no different in dividing viewers when activists disrupted major events from tennis Grand Slams to golf majors and cricket matches. Just Stop Oil protesters interrupted Wimbledon matches and major other events with their controversial and disruptive tactics. These actions were condemned by athletes and fans alike, but they also garnered sympathy from popular and outspoken soccer pundit Gary Lineker.
“I completely understand where they’re coming from, disruptive protest is the only one that gets any publicity. I get it,” said Lineker. “I think what is more important is probably our existence in the future rather than slight disruption of sporting events.”
U.S. Open tennis champion Coco Gauff, who has spoken out on various causes, also has no qualms about such protests even though climate activists disrupted her semi-final at Flushing Meadows and one glued his feet to the stand’s concrete floor. “I think that moments like this are history-defining moments,” said Gauff. “If that’s what they felt they needed to do to get their voices heard, I can’t really get upset at it.”
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
