How has sport become a global phenomenon, and what are the consequences?
The globalisation of sport through the media, sponsorship, migration and travel, the impact of hosting global events, and the role of sport as a global commodity and a tool of politics.
A focused answer to OCR A-Level PE on the globalisation of sport: how the media, sponsorship, migration and travel have made sport global, the positive and negative impacts of hosting global events on a host city or nation, and the role of sport as a global commodity and a tool of politics.
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What this dot point is asking
OCR wants you to explain how the media, sponsorship, migration and travel have globalised sport, evaluate the impact of hosting a global event on a host nation, and explain the role of sport as a global commodity and a tool of politics.
What globalisation is and what drives it
The impact of hosting global events
Sport as a commodity and a political tool
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of OCR exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
OCR 20184 marksExplain how the media and sponsorship have contributed to the globalisation of sport.Show worked answer →
A Component 03 Section A application question. Marks for the role of the media and of sponsorship in making sport global.
Award marks for: the media (especially satellite and digital broadcasting and social media) carries live sport to a worldwide audience, so leagues such as the Premier League and events such as the World Cup are watched globally, spreading the sport and its stars far beyond their home country. Sponsorship follows that global audience: multinational companies pay to associate their brand with globally televised sport, funding clubs, events and athletes, which in turn raises the profile and reach of the sport further. The two reinforce each other (with broadcasting): global coverage attracts sponsors, and sponsors fund the spectacle that draws the audience.
Markers reward the media reaching a worldwide audience and sponsorship following and funding that audience, ideally noting they reinforce each other.
OCR 20218 marksEvaluate the impact of hosting a global sporting event such as the Olympic Games on the host nation.Show worked answer →
A Component 03 extended-response (levels of response) question. Markers reward positive and negative impacts (AO1 and AO2) and a reasoned judgement (AO3).
Award credit for: positive impacts include economic benefits (tourism, investment, jobs and infrastructure such as transport and venues), a raised international profile and soft power, the regeneration of run-down areas, a potential boost to participation and national pride (a feel-good factor), and a lasting sporting legacy. Negative impacts include the huge cost, which can exceed the budget and leave debt, the risk of underused white elephant venues afterwards, the displacement of residents and disruption during construction, security and the risk of terrorism, and the uncertain or short-lived participation legacy. A reasoned answer weighs these, noting that the benefits depend heavily on planning and the use of the legacy: a well-planned games can regenerate and inspire, while a poorly planned one leaves debt and unused venues, so the impact is not automatically positive.
A top answer balances the economic, social and sporting benefits against the costs and risks and concludes that the impact depends on planning and legacy.
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Sources & how we know this
- OCR A Level Physical Education (H555) specification — OCR (2016)