The democracy of sport: the Euros, the Olympics and the Premier League 

As the Premier League kicks off this weekend, it marks the end of an extraordinary summer of sport. We had the annual favourites such as golf at The Open, tennis at Wimbledon and Roland-Garros, along with the Derby at Epsom, Royal Ascot, the Lord’s Test, and the thrills of Silverstone and Monaco. But more than this, this summer created some era-defining events and performances in the form of the European Football Championships and the Paris Olympics.

What’s remarkable about this summer of sport is that all the events mentioned above were packed into a European geographical area only a little larger than Texas. Europe has long set the benchmark for hosting sporting events, with Germany’s Euro 2024 and the Paris 2024 Olympics serving as prime examples of this proud tradition.

During the recent Olympics, many remarked, “We haven’t seen anything like this since London 2012.” This wasn’t just a testament to the quality of sporting competition; it was because the Paris Olympic Games, like London’s, were a celebration of public enthusiasm and participation. They captured a festival of intensely competitive athleticism framed by the values of inclusivity, diversity and shared humanity. Another word for this kind of sportsmanship is democracy.

A key democratic principle of the London Olympics was bringing the Games to the people. Rather than focusing on numerous, sometimes iconic, new stadiums as exemplified by the Beijing Olympics of 2008, London created temporary venues around existing landmarks or utilised existing stadia, making the Games more accessible. Some of the most cherished memories came from events like road cycling, the marathon, and open-water swimming, where spectators could enjoy the action for free, mingling with athletes and sharing in the excitement. It was a democratic sporting experience.

Paris 2024 built on—and, as much as it pains me to say, surpassed—this legacy, with an emphasis on integrating the Games into the city’s fabric. By using existing landmarks and temporary venues, Paris ensured the Olympics were both spectacular and accessible, reinforcing the idea that the true spirit of the Olympics lies in unity, participation, and celebration.

The European Football Championship earlier in the summer in Germany similarly highlighted these democratic values. Germany’s history of successfully hosting international events, such as the 2006 FIFA World Cup—famously dubbed the “Summer Fairy Tale”—shows how events in liberal democracies not only entertain but also foster camaraderie and respect. This freedom of expression created iconic moments outside the stadia, from Scottish pipers parading to venues to mad Dutchmen bouncing in their thousands from left to right. Amazingly, English fans somehow managed to show their good-natured humour, which only occasionally spilled into fat, inebriated men throwing patio furniture at policemen.

These sorts of unchoreographed and joyous reactions at sporting events simply don’t take place in authoritarian countries. This is because people need to be conditioned to this sort of freedom of expression.

In recent years, a tug of war has emerged between liberal democracies and authoritarian states over the soft power associated with major sporting events. The influx of money from authoritarian regimes, particularly from the Gulf and China, into global sports isn’t just about business—it’s a bid for influence and legitimacy through sportswashing.

Which brings us to the Premier League and the importance of protecting football from the corrupting influence of money from totalitarian states. The integrity of this most democratic of sports is at stake, along with the values that have made it a global phenomenon. The controversy surrounding the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour is a prime example of how petrodollars from a totalitarian regime can corrupt a sport traditionally associated with fairness, honour, and sportsmanship.

The Olympic golf tournament was such a raving success because it rose above the corrupting influence of the LIV Golf influence. Next year’s Ryder Cup will doubtless be the same.

Similarly, boxing’s increasing shift to the Middle East, driven by vast sums of money from authoritarian governments, is troubling. These moves reflect a broader trend of authoritarian regimes using sport to bolster their image, often at the expense of the sport’s integrity and the values that underpin it.

The idea that sport is just another business underestimates the true stakes. The Premier League, with its global reach and billions of fans, is not just a commercial enterprise—it’s about power. The Premier League shapes perceptions of the UK and Western values worldwide. It’s a living embodiment of the soft power that the West wields, a cultural export that carries with it the ideals of fairness, competition, and freedom.

This is precisely why authoritarian regimes are so eager to invest in global sports, with the Premier League as a prime target. The influx of money from totalitarian states into English football isn’t just about financial gain—it’s a strategic move in the soft power struggle. These regimes are trying to buy legitimacy by associating themselves with the world’s most popular league. Yet, despite their investments, they fail to grasp the essence of what makes the Premier League—or any great sporting competition—so special.

Despite their wealth, authoritarian regimes have consistently failed to create sports competitions that rival the Premier League, Wimbledon, Lord’s or The Open in global impact. When the global roadshows of the Olympics, the Football World Cup, and Formula 1 visit totalitarian states, they always fall flat.

Why? The difference is the fans.

Great sporting events are not just about the athletes—they are about the spectators and the freedom they have to express themselves. In liberal democracies, sports are celebrated as much for the communal experience they foster as for the athletic feats they showcase.

The spontaneous outpouring of emotion from supporters, the freedom to criticise and celebrate, and the open, competitive environment that allows the best to rise to the top—these are elements that authoritarian regimes struggle to replicate. Their attempts to sportswash their image through investments in global sports can buy them a seat at the table, but they cannot purchase the genuine passion and global resonance that come naturally in liberal democracies.

It’s no coincidence that the same liberal democracies that nurture vibrant sporting cultures are often characterised by political turmoil and robust democratic debate. The freedom that allows for passionate expression in sport also underpins the democratic processes in these countries. The often chaotic and contentious nature of elections in liberal democracies, such as the recent elections in France and the UK, might be viewed by some as a weakness. However, this openness to debate and self-critique is the lifeblood of a healthy democracy.

Where the West should worry is when totalitarian regimes try to corrupt—whether by placing right-wing populist politicians in their pockets or by buying football clubs.

In contrast, such robust political discourse is unimaginable in totalitarian states, where dissent is often met with severe repression. The freedom to argue, protest, and vote in democratic societies is something that many people in authoritarian regimes would risk their lives for. This freedom is not a flaw but a strength, reflecting the same values that make Western sports so compelling. It is this freedom that fuels the creativity, dynamism, and global appeal of events like the Premier League.

As the Premier League season begins, it’s essential to recognise the broader significance of this competition. It is more than just a football league; its global fame and popularity are rooted in the very values that authoritarian regimes seek to undermine: freedom, fairness, and the rule of law.

Sporting events do more than crown champions; they celebrate the human spirit, unity, and the values we hold dear. It is no coincidence that the most memorable and successful events take place in liberal democracies, where freedom, diversity, and public participation are encouraged and celebrated. As we look back on the Paris Olympics and the European Football Championship in Germany, we are reminded that in sport, as in society, it is the people—free to express, celebrate, and engage—who make the occasion truly great.

A Message from TheArticle

We are the only publication that’s committed to covering every angle. We have an important contribution to make, one that’s needed now more than ever, and we need your help to continue publishing throughout these hard economic times. So please, make a donation.