Sports and Politics

On October 11th and October 13th in my American Sport in the 21st class we discussed the topic of sports and politics.  We discussed certain definitions, the different ways that sport is exploited in the government, how the government got involved, and the different ways that the government is used in sport.

Definitions:

Politics: Social process, individuals and groups acquire and maintain power over others.

Government: Formal organization that makes rules.

Globalization: Relationship between countries and the use of power on an international level.

How Government Got Involved:

• Safeguard public order
• Maintain fitness and physical abilities
• Promote prestige and power of a community or nation
• Reproduce dominant values
• Increase support for political leaders and political structures
• Promote economic development

Exploitation of Sport:

• White house reception of champions
• Athletes for Obama
• Sways votes

Sports in Politics has been used as a propaganda vehicle. In 1956 at the Olympic Games in Berlin Germany Hitler wanted the games to demonstrate the Aryan Race. Jesse Owens who was an African American who ran for the United States won 4 gold medals in those Olympic Games. With that happening Hitler refused to shake hands with Jesse Owens or any black athlete. 

Sport, Star Spangled Banner, Flag.

• First flag appearance was at the 1918 World Series
• The flag is a symbol of our government
• Anthem in the United States in 1930
•  In 1940 the national anthem was played before all sporting events.

10 Athletes Who Ran For Political Office written by Sean Hojnacki discusses how certain former athletes ran for a political office. We discussed this in class and used the examples of Lynn Swann, J.C. Watts, Bill Bradley, and Tom Osborne. All of those athletes ran for positions in political office. Since the athletes have been involved in sports the fans already know their name. That can be a factor in the election and sway votes their way because people were fans of the team. For more information use this link: Sports and Politics

Lynn Swann former Pittsburgh Steeler running for Governor of Pennsylvania.