Main content

What is sportswashing?

Dan Roan, sports editor at BBC News, talks to Claire Graham about accusations of countries investing in sport and high-profile events to improve their international reputation.

In recent years, many sports have received huge investment from oil-rich petrostates, and while the term ‘sportswashing’ is relatively new, the idea of using sport as a way to deflect negative publicity has been around for years. The impact of recent huge investment has changed the landscape for football, golf, F1, cricket and boxing and many believe this to be a new form of soft power for those involved. Dan Roan, sports editor at BBC News, talks to Claire Graham about the accusation that countries are investing in sport and high-profile events to improve their international reputation.

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

New Year's Day 202403:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Sat 30 Dec 202311:32GMT
  • Sat 30 Dec 202316:32GMT
  • Sat 30 Dec 202319:32GMT
  • Sun 31 Dec 202304:32GMT
  • Sun 31 Dec 202311:32GMT
  • New Year's Day 202400:32GMT
  • New Year's Day 202403:32GMT

Podcast