2020: The fight against racism unites the sports world

The death of the African American George Floyd in a brutal police operation in the USA on May 25th and similar cases led to an unprecedented outcry and threw overboard the old rule not to mix sports and politics. The Black Lives Matter movement received a boost thanks to the support of world-class athletes like NBA basketball star LeBron James, who reaches millions on social media. Formula 1 is moving forward Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team had the Silver Arrows painted black to send a message against racism and discrimination. “We want to build a legacy together that goes beyond sport,” said the Brit, who celebrated his seventh World Cup title this year.

A pioneer in the fight against racism: Lewis Hamilton. © POOL / BRYN LENNON

Hamilton, the first black driver in Formula 1, took part in an anti-racism demonstration in London. Germany's tennis legend Boris Becker also raised his voice. “What was going on in the streets around the world is the most important issue for me in 2020 and for the rest of my life,” the three-time Wimbledon winner recently said about the Black Lives Matter movement. He had experienced racism with his partners and children for years, he added in the podcast “Boris Becker – The Fifth Sentence”.

When the 53-year-old posted a video from a rally in London at the beginning of June, numerous insults followed in the comments. Becker responded with a reference to his family. “I am affected by it because my family is affected by it,” he now repeated. “I don’t think we have the slightest idea in our white society what it means to be judged, condemned, attacked because you look white or black on the outside.” NBA games have been postponed As a result of the protests, games in the US basketball and baseball leagues NBA and MLB were postponed, and tennis star Naomi Osaka threatened not to play. The professionals from Paris Saint-Germain and Basaksehir Istanbul knelt before a Champions League game in protest against a racism incident triggered by an assistant referee.

Political statements in sport were once considered forbidden and moved They now received suspensions and other punishments Support for clubs and associations. The national football League team from Washington said goodbye to its name “Redskins” (Redskins), and also the Cleveland Indians from the major League Baseball announced its decision to be racist to store names.

NFL boss Roger Goodell admitted that the league was wrong not to actively support peaceful protests against racism, such as in 2016 when Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem. The then quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers has been without a job in the NFL since 2017. “We admit we were wrong not to listen to NFL players sooner and encourage them to stage a peaceful protest. We believe that black lives matter. Without black players there would be no National Football League,” Goodell emphasized. The footballers also send signals Footballers also loudly condemned racism. In the Bundesliga, the Premier League and other leagues, players knelt to show their support for the anti-racism protests. “I see it as a big step by the Premier League to allow something like this. It shows we are going in the right direction,” said Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling.

Many players in the Premier League also knelt to express their support for the anti-racism protests. © APA/afp / MIKE HEWITT

The world football association FIFA, the European Football Union UEFA and the national associations supported these gestures. The UEFA slogan “No to Racism” was prominently featured after the racism incident in the game between PSG and Basaksehir. When the match resumed in Paris's Parc des Princes the day after the game was abandoned, all players and the referee knelt as a gesture against racism. “A lot has been said, but in reality there is nothing better than action,” said PSG star striker Kylian Mbappé.

Former Dutch football professional Ruud Gullit described racism as “a cancer on society” in a UEFA documentary. Everyone must take part in eliminating this. “Football is followed by billions of people around the world. We have to show that discrimination is wrong,” demanded UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.

The athletes' commitment will continue in 2021. The Olympic Games in Tokyo could prove to be a practical test - because the IOC continues to prohibit any political messages.

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2020: The fight against racism unites the sports world

It wasn't just the coronavirus that turned the sports world upside down in 2020. The athletes themselves also ensured that this year will remain unforgettable with their unprecedented commitment to fighting racism and other social injustices.

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