International sports are competitive events that feature teams from different countries. Examples of international sports include the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup and tennis Grand Slam. International sport federations establish the rules that must be followed by participants in international competitions. For example, the governing body of soccer, FIFA (the International Federation of Football Associations), sets the dimensions of the field, number of players allowed on each team, and method of scoring goals. Similarly, the governing body of basketball, FIBA (the International Basketball Federation) sets the rules that must be followed by international basketball competitors.
In addition to promoting healthy lifestyles and bringing nations together through competition, international sports can also act as a tool for diplomacy and peacebuilding. For example, the ancient city states of Greece would travel to Olympia for the Olympic Games, putting aside internal conflicts for the duration of the event. This set a precedent for using sports as an opportunity for diplomacy and a moment of ceasefire, which can still be seen today.
Moreover, international sporting events can provide economic opportunities for local communities. For instance, the host cities of major sports events like the Olympics and FIFA World Cup often see an increase in tourism and related economic activities. Additionally, Hallman, Breuer, and Kuhnreich found that hosting a major sporting event leads to a temporary boost in life satisfaction among the population, with females, older individuals and new immigrants feeling the effects most.