sportswashing

[spawrts-wosh-ing, -waw-shing]

noun

1. an instance or practice of rehabilitating the bad reputation of a person, company, nation, etc., or mitigating negative press coverage with a sports event, or an appeal to unify and reconcile groups in conflict by celebrating fans’ shared love of a game.

   The cost of sportswashing, from building stadiums to other infrastructure investments, has been worth it to a regime with such an indefensible human rights record.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sportswashing¹

First recorded in 2010–15; sportswash ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Saudi Arabian government has spent years denying claims of 'sportswashing' - sponsoring or hosting sporting events to promote a positive public image and distract attention from human rights issues.

From BBC

Critics argued the golf series was a deliberate attempt at “sportswashing” by “banking on the glamour of athletics to outshine concerns about a history of human rights abuses,” The Times reported at the time.

From Los Angeles Times

Critics suggest Saudi's investment in sport is to gain legitimacy and deflect attention from controversy over its human rights record, a practice known as 'sportswashing'.

From BBC

However, critics suggest the Kingdom's spending - which includes the creation of a breakaway golf circuit, the LIV Golf League, by its Public Investment Fund - is to gain legitimacy and deflect attention from controversy over its human rights record, a practice known as 'sportswashing'.

From BBC

Most recently, Rwanda has been accused of "sportswashing" - with critics saying it uses the feel-good factor of international football to cover up alleged human rights abuses at home.

From BBC