Beyond the game

At a press conference three weeks ago, I caught something unusual: a world-class athlete speaking intelligently about democracy and liberties. Usually, athletes at this level tend to spit out well-rehearsed and memorized lines that say nothing about any even slightly controversial issue, about the sport itself, or about any other meaningful topic simply because it might hurt their brand and sponsorship deals. This happens often before and around so-called mega events like the FIFA World Cup or the Olympics, especially when authoritarian regimes host them.

In recent decades, major sporting events like the World Cup or the Olympics have frequently been held in countries with questionable to deplorable human rights records. They give authoritarian governments a global stage to showcase their power and legitimacy. When athletes speak out against these regimes, they undermine this propaganda and draw attention to the injustices being committed.

Over the past two decades, the Summer Olympics have been held in Beijing, China (2008) and the Winter Olympics in Sochi (2014) and again Beijing (2022). The FIFA World Cup took place in Russia (2018) and Qatar (2022), and the annual billion-dollar industry that is the Formula 1 Grand Prix circus has also taken place in Bahrain, China, Russia and Saudi Arabia. There are two common factors here. First, billions of dollars that feed corruption; second, hosting countries that all are at the bottom of any acknowledged democracy and freedom index.

The intersection of sports and politics

French striker Kylian Mbappé usually plays for Spanish La Liga’s Real Madrid, and he has a platform far beyond the football pitch. So, hearing him talk about core democratic values during the UEFA 2024 European Football Championship (Euro 2024) following EU elections and ahead of the French snap elections was a breath of fresh air. On the eve of France's first game at the European Championship, he answered a direct question about upcoming elections with this:

“We know that it is a pivotal moment in French history. This is a never-before-seen event. We are a generation that can make a difference; we can see that the extremes are knocking on the door of power, and we have the opportunity to shape the future of our country.”

The French football federation backed up its players, stating that it “is very attached to freedom of expression and citizenship (and) supports the necessary call to go to vote, which is a democratic requirement.” This stood in pretty stark contrast to Germany’s federation, which earlier had urged the media to back off asking its players in Germany to comment on elections at home.

The era of "sports and politics shouldn't mix" is over

I believe the era of saying sports and politics should not mix is over; athletes like Mbappé with a platform and influence can make a significant impact with a call to action for people to vote. In the past, there was often a general demarcation between sports and politics, where athletes have been discouraged from voicing opinions on political matters. This separation was rooted in the idea that sports should be an escape from the harsh realities of the world, a place where people could unite over a shared love for the game. History has proven, over and over again, that the uniting factor may occur between athletes, but never has it positively improved a state’s form of governance or improved democracy and respect for human rights.

There are historical exceptions to athletes keeping their mouths shut and refraining from engaging in political discourse.

Historical context: Athletes as activists

One of history’s most potent manifestations of sports against authoritarianism was perhaps during the Nazi Olympics in Berlin in 1936. The U.S. was represented by 18 United States African-Americans in the famous track and field events. They excelled and captured numerous medals. The victories of Jesse Owens and other Black athletes manifested the rejection of the Nazi myth of Aryan supremacy.

Another example comes from the civil rights movement in the United States. Figures like Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson used their sports platforms to challenge segregation and racial discrimination, and they paid the price for it. Their actions, however, helped to bring about significant social change and inspired generations of activists simply because they spoke up.

In an act of political protest, Swedish football goalkeeper Ronnie Hellström chose not to participate in the 1978 FIFA World Cup's opening ceremony in Argentina, which was held during what the military dictatorship called “The National Reorganization Process”. Instead, Hellström joined the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, a group of women demonstrating against the regime's human rights abuses and the disappearance of their family members.

As long as human rights violations go uncommented, they will reoccur. And if powerful voices outside of the political arena do not speak up, the world does not seem to care. Muhammed Ali once said that the “service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”, which reflects his belief that any person has the power to advance humanity.

These examples came in an era long before social media, and while their decisions did not in end WW2 bring the end of the fascist Argentinian junta or had an immediate effect on civil rights legislation in the US, they all demonstrated human actions that highlighted the intersection of sports and politics and underscored the potential for athletes to use their platform to advocate for justice, freedoms and universal human rights.

Sports and politics in an era of social media

In the contemporary context, athletes continue to play a vital role in advocating for social justice. Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the national anthem in protest of police brutality sparked a global movement. His actions, seen by some as controversial, brought attention to the issue of systemic racism and inspired other athletes to use their platforms for activism.

Another recent example in golf illustrates the complexities of sports and political engagement. Henrik Stenson, a professional golfer, lost his role as captain of the European Ryder Cup team after joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour. This decision was met with significant backlash, highlighting the tension between sportsmanship and political implications. The controversy surrounding the LIV tour, funded by a nation with a deplorable human rights record, underscores the ongoing debate about the role of politics in sports. The complexity extends into the room of cancel culture, which in itself hampers constructive dialogue and polarises an already divided world.

More recently, Swedish speedskater Nils van der Poel, handed one of his gold medals to the daughter of Gui Minhai, a book publisher imprisoned in China. This rebuke of Beijing caught the world off guard as similar protests have been strongly forbidden and harshly sanctioned. Mr. van der Poel waited patiently for the embargo period to run out before travelling to London for a small and improvised ceremony.

However, the world has changed, and so has the role of athletes in society. With the rise of social media, athletes have more direct access to their fans than ever before. They can instantly share their thoughts, beliefs, and values with millions. This shift has allowed athletes to be more than just entertainers; they can be advocates, activists, and role models.

Inspiring future generations to engage against authoritarianism

Mbappé's willingness to discuss democracy highlights the potential for athletes to positively influence public discourse. In a time when democracy is threatened in many parts of the world, voices like his are crucial. The process of autocratization, where democratic institutions and practices are gradually eroded, is affecting a significant portion of the global population. According to the V-DEM institute from Gothenburg, Sweden, approximately 72% of the world's population, or 5.7 billion people, now live in autocracies, up from 46% in 2012.

Moreover, the quality of democracy has been declining in many countries, most notably in indicators such as freedom of expression, association, and the rule of law. The average global score for these indicators has dropped to levels last recorded in 1986.

With such trends, powerful voices can inspire young people to engage in the political process, vote, and stand up for their rights. Athletes like Mbappé and others can use their platforms to educate their followers about important issues, from human rights to environmental sustainability.

In summary, athletes speaking out on political matters can and have always challenged authoritarian regimes that use sports as a propaganda tool. It is certainly not a coincidence that authoritarian regimes such as Russia and China have been successful in competing to host mega events, as they are capable of aligning the full and unrestricted power of the state around their bids, thereby creating an very unlevel playing field, where liberal democratic states have to go the long route to rally broad democratic support for their bids to the same events.

I hope that the interview in which Mbappé shares his thoughts on democratic values is part of a broader trend that signals a shift in the way we view athletes and their role in society. No longer are they just players in an arena; they are influential figures with a platform, be it in politics, entertainment, or business, who can shape public opinion and advance social change.

The idea that sports and politics shouldn't mix is outdated. Kylian Mbappé did not single-handedly change the outcome of the French elections, just as Ronnie Hellström did not bring the Argentinian fascist junta to its knees and put an end to a reign of terror. This protest action of solidarity by van der Poel did not set Gui Minhai free, nor did it refrain the country that holds him in prison from seeking to host mega events in the future (The human rights situation in the country hardly improved during or after summer Olympics in 2008).

The point is that world-class athletes have the power to draw attention to things that matter by engaging in political discourse. Their voices can inspire, educate, and challenge the status quo.

As we move forward, we should encourage more athletes to speak out on important issues, using their platforms to advocate for a better, more just world. To advance humanity!

It nevertheless takes courage and involves risks for the personal brand, but as the great Muhammed Ali put it: “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” Kylian Mbappé dared to speak out, and I am confident it brought at least a few people to exercise their democratic rights when he said: “Discussing politics won't hurt France's chances on the field. One does not impede the other, not at all."