Sport, Politics, and the Olympics

The 1964 Olympic games in Tokyo cosseted of political controversy as South Africa was banned from the games. South Africa was not allowed to participate because the government was unable to permit multiracial sport. They were allowed to participate in 1968 at the Olympic games in Mexico. 

I believe the banning of South AFrican from the Olympics can represent "Sport as a vehicle of change in society." Tokyo would not accept a nation that would not allow for racial equality so their actions helped force South Africa to unite racially. Sport and the Olympics is so popular that South Africa felt they needed to make changes to support their nation, not only athletically, but most importantly politically. 

I do not necessarily agree with the statement that "sport is pure and devoid of political interference." Every large world sporting event such as the Olympics or the World Cup, the host country will always try to gain political power and endorse their country. These events will always be influenced by the current political time. One current example of this is Vladamir Putin's anti-gay rhetoric, while the U.S. is trying to eliminate homosexual inequality.  I do feel sport and politics has decreased over the past few years.