Sportswashing is a term used to describe the practice of nations, individuals, groups, corporations, or the government using sports to improve reputations tarnished by wrongdoing. A form of propaganda, sportswashing can be accomplished through hosting sporting events, purchasing or sponsoring sporting teams, or participating in a sport.[3]
At the international level, it is believed that sportswashing has been used to direct attention away from poor human rights records and corruption scandals.[4] At the individual and corporate levels, it is believed that sportswashing has been used to cover up vices, crimes, and scandals. Sportswashing is an example of reputation laundering.
- ^ "Bahrain's grim human rights violations are behind the glamour of the Grand Prix". www.amnesty.org. 27 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
gulfwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "What is sportswashing and why is it such a big problem?". Greenpeace UK. 23 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ Wilson, Jonathan. "Sportswashing and Global Football's Immense Power". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 1 February 2023.