Covid-19 has led to the rebirth of sport as a vehicle for nationalism

By Harry Brown

One of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic is that it has meant the dependence on the international system dwindled. As borders shut and travel was restricted in a way not seen since the creation of the neo-liberal global order, the importance of an individual state and its ability to fend for itself was suddenly very important. 

How governments acted, how they promoted their nation both domestically and internationally, was now salient to their success in their dealings with the pandemic. As we begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel from the pandemic’s clutches, one of the tools that governments have turned to is sport, increasingly using it as a vehicle to promote national agendas and prestige on the global stage. 

In its modern form, nationalism is largely viewed to have its origins in the 1750s, as British-led globalisation generated new forms of nationalism worldwide. The ideology of nationalism, which is both pervasive and equally potent, is all about self-determination.

Sport has always been emotive, especially on the national stage. International sporting events are accompanied by national anthems and the symbolism of flags, showcasing pride in one’s country. However, as one of the luxuries we have been allowed back in our lives, albeit without a crowd (in western Europe at least), sport has increasingly become a means for leaders to promote themselves on a global stage. 

Even aside from the pandemic the 2018 World Cup and 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia, as well as the upcoming Qatar World Cup, have been viewed with scepticism, particularly from the West. At the time of the 2018 World Cup, Russia had just used a nuclear nerve-agent on the UK streets, and Qatar has come under fire for not paying staff to build stadiums. 

However, the most recent event that stood out to me was Narendra Modi renaming the Motera stadium after himself. As of 2020, it is the largest cricket stadium in the world and with a seating capacity of 110,000 seats, second only to North Korea's Rungrado stadium across all arenas. 

What is particularly pertinent about Modi's renaming, which on the surface can be simplified to a vanity project, is that his nationalist BJP party has gained a reputation for aggressively pursuing name changes across the country in an attempt to erase traces of non-Hindu presences. The image of 110,000 cricket-mad, Indian flag draping supporters in the Modi stadium will please the ruling party and undoubtedly projects an image of national power. 

It is significant, though, that this trend has not just been limited to emerging and post-colonial nations. Right here in the UK, the government, and certain ministers (Gavin Williamson) have played up the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine's Britishness and used the UK's speedy rollout to score points over the EU. 

Perhaps sport could be the next tool used by the governments to promote Britain on the global state. The proposals for the UK to be the only nation to host the rearranged 2020 Euros this summer, in my view feeds into this narrative. The 2020 Euros were meant to be the first multi-nation Euros, but unfortunately for UEFA coincided with a global pandemic- surelyif the UK hosted the tournament it won't pass without at least one minister using the event to claim some sort of British victory over Covid.

As someone who has held a West Ham season ticket my whole life, there is nothing more I'd love for the UK to host the Euros, but in an era of sports washing, the government shouldn't look to cash in on the political points they could score - we should save that for the pitch itself.

With China set to host the 2022 winter Olympics, the question of sport and its ability to promote nationalism will undoubtedly rumble on. Politicians across the western world have already begun to question China's suitability and appropriateness to be one of the first nations to showcase itself to the world and benefit from hosting rights once we move on from the pandemic.

Ultimately sport is entertainment, it has been created for enjoyment but its connections with nationalism remain obvious. It is my view that the pandemic has allowed us to readdress and rethink so many our previous societal norms, perhaps removing state actors in sport could be one too.