I don't only play sports, but I also enjoy watching it. I have noticed a lot that it unites people from all around the world. It brings people from different cultures and races all together that share the love of sports. It doesn't matter what color you are or what you believe in, sports doesn't discriminate anybody and that is the beauty and power of sports. Sports also helps us relieve stress and distract us from the problems around us. For example when there is a championship on the line everybody all around the world talks about it and get excited to watch the game.
As a person who is both passionate about sports and world peace, its important for me to mention that especially now we are a point where we need to unite. with our new president it brought a lot of hate causing a lot more separation among our people than we already had. What a better way to bring people together, using the force of sports.
Lets take for instance the game between Mexico and United States Mens National Teams played on November 11, 2016 in Columbus, Ohio where both teams joined as one, to take a picture, showing unity and peace against racism. In a press conference before the game they said there was not borders between soccer and that sports were about brining the world together. All this happen because Donald Trump was saying that he was going to build a wall between and US and our neighbors which is Mexico.
One big event that all soccer fanatics look forward for is the Fifa World Cup. This event occurs every four years, and it doesn't have a specific place. The way they choose where its going to take place is by making a raffle in where all of the countries in the world participate and which ever country comes up that's where they do the event. There are a total of 32 nations including the host that compete for this trophy. This event is fast, only one month long and in order to qualify for this event you have to play other tournaments and do good because only the best nations get a spot. Once they have all nations that will compete they are sorted into eight groups of four and they play once against each team in your group. After those four games the top two teams in each group go through to the next round. The next round is called the round of 16 in where only 16 teams are left and who ever wins go on to the quarter finals. In the quarter finals there are 8 teams left and who ever wins there go through the semi finals where only 4 teams are left and two games are played. The two teams that end up winning then move on to the final. All teams dream is to move on to the final and to hopefully crown themselves champions. All games are 90 minutes long, there are two halves of 45 minutes. Throughout this whole month the fans get to express their love for their nation as well as show respect and peace towards the other nations. This brings everybody together and show love for the sport.
The picture above is a picture of Nelson Mandela and one of my favorite sport quotes. I really like this quote because it says that sports has the power to bring all types of races, colors, religions, and beliefs together. It is more powerful than governments and discrimination. I think this is one of the reasons why I love sports. They are a way to show that we are all united and together we can do and achieve anything we want in the world.
This sport shows how important and influential sport athletes are to people.
Athletes who have helped change the world
- Dikembe Mutombo NBA all star, named "Top Giver" in 2013 by Forbes magazine. He started the Congolese-American Charity in Congo
- LeBron James he started the Children's Defense Fund, ONEXONE, and the LeBron James Family foundation through this foundation he tries to have a positive affect on children through education.
- Mia Hamm helped lead the woman's soccer team to victory in 1996. Founder of The Mia Hamm Foundation she raises awareness to help families in need of bone marrow or cord blood transplants.
- Derek Jeter, Yankees shortstop. A philanthropist his foundation Turn2 Foundation helps young people by getting them involved in programs and activities, instead of turning to drugs and alcohol.
- Chris Evert a professional tennis player, through her foundation Chris Evert Charities she raised millions to help families and children "at risk" facing substance abuse and child neglect.
5 out 10 Moments in sports that have changed the world
- Jesse Owens takes a stand against Nazi Germany: 1936
- Black Pride at the Olympic games: 1968
- Tiger Woods wins masters at once segregation golf course: 1990
- The legless football player: 2005
- Rugby and Apartheid: 1993
Work Cited:
15 Ways That Sports And Athletes Have Changed The World For The Better. (2015, September 14). Retrieved March 09, 2017, from http://aplus.com/a/15-ways-that-sports-and-athletes-have-changed-the-world-for-the-better?no_monetization=true
Marie, E. (2017, January 19). These 10 Amazing Sports Moments Transcended The Game And Changed The World. Retrieved March 09, 2017, from http://www.allday.com/these-10-amazing-sports-moments-transcended-the-game-and-changed-the-w-2180812748.html
Copeland, K. (n.d.). Athletes using sports platforms to push for social change. Retrieved March 09, 2017, from http://www.salon.com/2016/07/25/athletes_using_sports_platforms_to_push_for_social_change/
