α. 2000s sportswash.
β. 2000s sportwash.
sportswashv.
/ˈspɔːtswɒʃ/, U.S. /ˈspɔrtsˌwɔʃ/, /ˈspɔrtsˌwɑʃ/ derogatory.
transitive. To use sport or a sporting event to promote a positive public image for (a sponsoring or hosting government, organization, etc., or its actions or reputation), and as a means of distracting attention from other activities considered controversial, unethical, or illegal. Also occasionally (and in earliest use): to use (sport or a sporting event) in this way. Cf. sportswashing n.
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β. 2013 @EvaBiaudet 16 Aug. in twitter.com (accessed 10 Jan. 2022) At least the politicians should not all be there when Human Rights downgrading governments sportwash their faces. #Olympics.2017 @SamWalton 16 Apr. in twitter.com (accessed 10 Jan. 2022) #F1 #GrandPrix sportwashing repression.2021 Guardian (Nexis) 22 Nov. (Opinion section) How will it feel to stand on a podium in Beijing, worrying that you're part of something designed to ‘sportwash’ China's record by projecting its preferred image across the globe?2012 @Jinjirrie 5 Apr. in twitter.com (accessed 10 Jan. 2022) Big up for the Arab sports council, which boycotts Adidas over sportswashing Jerusalem marathon.
2015 independent.co.uk (Nexis) 12 June (Comments section) We must make it clear to the regime that they cannot ‘sportswash’ their reputation. Sport cannot be above human rights.
2022 Calgary (Alberta) Herald (Nexis) 8 Jan. (Early ed.) (Opinion section) a13 The Olympics and the World Cup each have audiences of more than three billion people worldwide..which is why..they [sc. China and Qatar] are effectively ‘sportswashing’ their abysmal human rights records.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2022).
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