Commentary: The Separation of Sport and State?

Have you ever played a pickup football game with a person who is far too competitive? Someone that sprints vigorously for fumbles, trash talks after every play, hums the Sportscenter theme every time a big play occurs? As you stand with your hands behind your head, gasping for air, you stare at that student thinking, “It’s just a game, calm down.”

“It’s just a game” is something that everyone has heard that is involved in sports. It doesn’t matter; it’s just a fun thing to do. When the grand scheme of things comes into play, sports have no involvement in social or political issues. During September 11th, the ESPN college football Gameday crew mentioned, “it’s just a game, we need to mourn, and focus on other things right now.” I figured if anyone knew the impact of sports in politics and social matters, it would be ESPN. People need to realize the importance of sports in society.

Case in point, the most recent event with the torch carrier being doused and tackled by an outraged protestor, it showed that it’s more than just a game. Although it was a bit harsh to tackle the poor torch carrier, the implication was that the Olympics was a political issue. Do people in the United States want to bring their athletes to a country that promotes cheap labor? The United States has been addressing this issue since the announcement of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. This dousing of the torch goes beyond the Olympics, and breaches at a political and social level. But, no, it’s just a game

How about 1980 during the Cold War? The United States boycotted the Moscow games in the summer before hand. Later, the Soviets and the Czechs decided that they should boycott our winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The Russian Hockey team was undefeated for 20 years and thought they shouldn’t come to our Olympic games. However, they did show up and ended up playing in the most historical game in United States sports history. “The Miracle on Ice” was more than just a hockey game; it was a political and social statement. A group of young college hockey players beat the elite, and seemingly unbeatable Soviets 4-2 in perhaps one of the best games, and political statements at that time. Think it’s still just a game?

The Ivory Coast, a country in Africa, was in the middle of a civil war in 2006. When their soccer team qualified to go to the World Cup in Germany, they stopped the war temporarily to support their team. Let’s think about that for a second. For a few soccer games, a country stopped a war. This is an event that happened two years ago and people still cannot get their head around the fact that a game stopped war. Although, the country finished 1-2 in their table, it was a movement that should be remembered that sports are more than just games.

How about crisis? What about the times when we are mourning? Is ESPN correct when they stated that it was just a game, and we need to focus on real issues? What about September 11th? What about the American flags flying high over the stadium?  What about Jets and Patriot fans singing the national anthem and chanting USA in unison before the game? The impact of a football game helped unify a country when it meant the most. Hurricane Katrina was a catastrophic disaster in New Orleans. What was the glimmer of hope? How about the NFL team New Orleans Saints beating the Atlanta Falcons 23-3 in their home opener. The emotions that went through the building were not something to be ignored. Furthermore, the home opener for Virginia Tech vs. East Carolina was a way to let out emotion. The game solidified a community and a Hokie spirit amongst Virginia Tech Students. Although, sports were not the only thing that helped people through crisis, it is something that needs to be considered.

It’s hard to believe that sports have a serious impact on society. These events are games; they are competitions that may not change any part of society. However, to say that sports have no political or social influence is garbage. When athletes represent a country, it’s more than a game. When protesters douse the torch because of the location of Olympics, it’s more than a game. When a country unites briefly to support their country’s team, it’s more than a game. When people can partially recover from tragedy because of a football match, it’s more than a game.

It’s hard to say what the United States will end up doing for the Beijing Olympics in August. It is likely that there will be some political and social implications will occur when the United States travels to China. Hopefully, our citizens in our country will be watching our country compete. Hopefully, our country’s basketball players will see how important this Olympics is. Maybe the Olympics in Beijing will be another example of how sports are more than just a game.

Go America.