The Myth of Sport as a Peace-Promoting Political Force

The idea that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the major international sports federations constitute a kind of peace movement dates from the end of the nineteenth century. This essay argues that the ethically compromised leadership and political behavior of these organizations discredits this claim. Global sport has been and remains a form of show business internationalism that must be distinguished from legitimate international humanitarian organizations such as the Red Cross and Amnesty International. This essay examines the political history and behaviors of the two largest international sports organizations and analyzes the political fantasies of the global "sports autocrats" who have claimed to be peacemakers.