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

One of the main themes of the sporting landscape over the past decade has been allegations of 'sportswashing' amid unprecedented investment, hosting and sponsorship by Middle Eastern states.

From BBC

Critics of Saudi Arabia have accused the oil-rich kingdom of using its wealth to invest in sports in a bid to improve its image - known as 'sportswashing'.

From BBC

Saudi Arabia has been accused by critics of investing in sport and using high-profile events to improve its international reputation - a process that has been labelled 'sportswashing'.

From BBC

The country continues to face criticisms, however, for using sport to divert attention away from its poor human rights record - a process dubbed 'sportswashing'.

From BBC

However, the Gulf kingdom has been criticised for its human rights violations and accused of that investment and the hosting of high-profile events to improve its international reputation - a process known as 'sportswashing'.

From BBC