sportswashing

/ˈspɔːrtsˌwɒʃɪŋ/

using sports to improve a country's reputation

The country invested heavily in hosting the World Cup as a form of sportswashing.

The country used the World Cup to improve its international image.

◆ What It Really Means

The use of sports to improve a negative reputation by diverting attention from serious issues.

¶ Literal Meaning

The act of cleaning or improving the image of sports.

Literal Breakdown

sportsathletic events+washingcleaning or improving

◇ Mental Image

A metaphorical 'cleaning' of a reputation through sports.

◈ When to Use

A journalist writing about a country's hosting of a major sports event while ignoring its human rights record.

◉ Cultural Note

The term emerged in the 2010s to describe the strategic use of sports for reputational purposes, particularly by authoritarian regimes.

formal

The practice of using sports events or investments in sports to improve a country's or organization's reputation, often to distract from negative aspects like human rights abuses or corruption.

Critics accused the regime of sportswashing by hosting the Olympics while ignoring labor rights violations.

The regime was accused of using the Olympics to improve its image while neglecting labor rights.

Often used in discussions about authoritarian regimes or controversial entities using sports to enhance their public perception.

Collocations

sportswashing campaigna deliberate effort to improve reputation through sportssportswashing strategya planned approach to using sports for image improvement