One of the most evident use of sports for political gain was the Olympic games hosted by Berlin, Germany in 1936. Nazi Germany rose to power in 1933 and what was more perfect to spread their Nazi ideology than to host the Olympics--a global participation. Germany wanted to be the most powerful force in the world and it makes sense to host the Olympics where there was 49 different countries who came together to compete. However, many nations were hesitant about participating in the 1936 Berlin Olympics because of Adolf Hitler and his followers alternative dehumanizing motives. One of the main events (if not the only "event") that occurred at the Olympic games was the spreading ideology on Nazi Nationalism. The entire motive around Germany hosting the Olympics was to become a world power. Hitler could influence a great deal of people in a confined place under his rule. The "Nazi games" fueled Nazi propaganda according to Sage and Eitzen.
When I'm asked to take a stance on whether "Sport is pure and devoid of political interference," I don't think you can have sports without the influence of politics which was clearly evident here with the 1936 Olympics. Those games were 100% used for political gain and even to today the games remain political. There are bids put in years before the Olympic games to determine which city will host the next games to come. That city/country will bring in so much revenue just because of the games, the media and publicity that country will receive. Even if you don't have the space, the city will make space. Look at Beijing-- they destroyed thousands of peoples homes and lives so they could build the Olympic village/stadium. Billions of dollars is spent for the games and that is definitely politically motivated.
References
http://www.olympic-museum.de/part_count/1936.htm
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/china-s-games-the-olympics-have-destroyed-our-lives-a-570717.html
olympics pp
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