Sports and Human Rights

Advancing the Theory and Practice of Sport for Human Rights

Introduction

The Beijing Olympics have become a powerful tool for human rights advocates looking to pressure the Chinese government on its human rights practices and record. Dream for Darfur,[1] the Free Tibet campaign,[2] Human Rights Watch,[3] and many others have used this opportunity to focus the world’s attention on human rights abuses within China’s borders as well as those that result from China’s foreign policy. And, this should come as no surprise. The decision to give the Olympics to Beijing was made in full awareness that it would bring pressure to bear on the human rights record of the most populous nation on earth.[4]

The storm of activity surrounding human rights and the Beijing Olympics makes the more general question about the role of sports within human rights a very timely one. The event has cast in stark relief the value of major sporting events to focus the world’s attention, and thereby, its pressure on individual nations. This is a significant contribution to the human rights cause. But, sport itself can be and do much more in the realm of human rights. In this paper, therefore, I will explore the status and potential of sport within the human rights framework. First, I will survey the development of the human rights and sports movement over the years, one which has gathered greater momentum recently. Next I shall look at some of the challenges currently facing the movement. One such challenge is the lack of a clear understanding on the status of sport as a human right in and of itself, a point of confusion that I hope to lend some clarity. Finally, I will suggest a series of steps that the advocacy community should consider in moving forward with a sports and human rights agenda.

A Definition of Sport

In order to guide this discussion, it is necessary to define the word “sport.” There is considerable variation in the definition.[5] Sociologists,...