From the Olympics to the World Cup, sports are more than games, they are arenas for identity, protest, and international politics. This course examines how nations use mega-events as soft power, how athletes and fans turn competition into activism, and how controversies over human rights, corruption, and sportswashing reveal deeper struggles over democracy and authoritarianism. Case studies range from Cold War boycotts and apartheid protests to recent debates over Qatar, Russia, and Paris 2024. Students will analyze the politics behind global sporting events, trace how sport intersects with nationalism, diplomacy, and inequality, and evaluate whether athletics can drive social change.