From the roar of Formula 1 engines to the elegance of international tennis, Saudi Arabia has been pouring billions into sports—not just for the love of the game, but to rebrand its image. This isn’t about athletic excellence. It’s about sportswashing: using high-profile events to distract from a long and painful record of repression. Whether[…]
14
Apr
Apr
On April 13, 2025, Bahrain hosted its 20th Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir—an event once again promoted as a celebration of global sport and national pride. But for many human rights advocates, this milestone doesn’t represent progress. Instead, it marks two decades of sportswashing—the use of international events to[…]
09
Apr
Apr
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a central player in the global sports arena—not for athletic achievement, but for its calculated use of high-profile events to rebrand its international image. This practice, known as sportswashing, refers to the strategic deployment of sporting partnerships and events to divert attention from ongoing human rights violations and bolster a[…]
28
Feb
Feb
For two decades, the host has been a staple of the Formula One calendar. But behind the glitz and speed of the race lies a troubling reality: Bahrain’s use of F1 to use its ongoing human rights abuses. The government leverages this high-profile sporting event to polish its international image, while simultaneously silencing dissent, imprisoning[…]
25
Feb
Feb
In 2004, Formula 1 (F1) declared its Grand Prix races in Bahrain. Headlines were made as Bahrain hosted the first race of its kind in the Middle East. It was celebrated so much to be given the title for best organized grand prix by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The races continued throughout seasons,[…]
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