What are the forms of discrimination in sport?
By the end of this stop, you will be able to identify the different forms of racism and discrimination in sports by their characteristics and understand how they can exist in sporting structures.
What are we talking about?
In this section, we will share some important concepts and definitions that will run through the training tool. It is a quick onboarding phase to ensure we all speak the same language.
Let’s start with a short video demonstrating different forms of discrimination.
To address racism efficiently, we need to understand the different ways it operates and equip ourselves with the tools for action. Monitoring discriminatory and racist incidents in sports means working within your sphere of influence to bring about meaningful change.
Key techniques to identify and recognise the problem
The problem is real and costly. In the UK, for example, when considering participation in sport in general, a research published in 2018 by the Sport and Recreation Alliance found that four in 10 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) participants had a negative experience of sport or physical activity, more than double the rate of white participants.
Studies and experiences have demonstrated there are some warning signs of a toxic environment. They can be summarised as such:
What are the elements of sport’s DNA that make it easy for discrimination to take place?
In sporting competitions, physical strength, endurance or physique are important factors in deciding who wins - this is rooted in fundamental sex discrimination. If one sex is generally at a disadvantage compared to the other, it's not illegal to hold separate competitions for men and women.
The elements of sport culture and structures that can contribute to discrimination go beyond this basic DNA and include the following list:
- Stereotyping and prejudice: Preconceived notions and unfair judgments based on characteristics such as race, gender, or nationality.
- Limited access: Barriers that prevent certain individuals or groups from participating in sports, often due to economic, social, or cultural factors.
- Unequal opportunities: Disparities in resources, training facilities, and coaching that hinder equal access and development in sports.
- Discrimination in leadership: Underrepresentation or biased treatment of certain groups in leadership positions within sports organisations.
- Pay disparities: Unequal compensation based on gender, somatic traits, national origin, or other factors, especially prominent in professional sports.
- Lack of inclusivity: Exclusionary practices and closed circles marginalised individuals from sports decision-making.
- Lack of transparency: Decisions and finance in the sport world are managed behind closed doors, without accountability.
- Limited role models: Scarcity of diverse role models in sports hinders the inspiration and motivation for individuals from underrepresented groups.
- Biased media coverage: Stereotypical portrayals and biased coverage that reinforce discriminatory attitudes and perceptions.
- Lack of equity: There is a perceived fair and equal meritocracy, but in reality there is a lack of equity policies at the grassroots level, which encourages discrimination.
- Sportswashing: Powerful political actors (governments, parties, corporations) who legitimise homophobia, gender discrimination and racist issues and use international sports to promote themselves and thus corrupt the sports DNA of sport worldwide, including at grassroots level.
- Nationalism: National interests such as promoting talents who can represent a state internationally lead to programs such as the "homegrown rule" in football, which discriminates against immigrant youth in particular.
The following video, developed as part of another EU-funded project, SENTRY, tells real-life stories of discrimination.
Follow-through exercises
The following short exercises have been designed to help you reflect on your context and get ready to move on to the next stop on our MONITORA roadmap.
- Exercise 1: Having watched the SENTRY video – can you think of any similar stories you have experienced or witnessed?
- Exercise 2: What are currently the potential elements that may foster discrimination in your organisation and/or local context?
- Exercise 3: Let’s test your understanding of some key takeaways. Insert the missing words in this text.
Need some help? Missing word list = participation; unsafe; opportunities; inclusivity, equity; one-sided; opportunities; sportwashing; stereotypes; unsafe.
