Topic: Using Global Sport as an Engine for Development
Country: Chile
Delegate Name: Suki Rajan
School: Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Chile position papers GLIMUN 2016 committees
Global sporting events have the power to accelerate economic growth, develop infrastructure and unite nations and people. Many cities that host large sporting events like the World Cup or the Olympics enjoy a rise in tourism, recognition and development. However, budgets may exceed profits and these events may become a burden to the host country. One example is Brazil, where the 2016 Olympics were hosted. According to the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, costs for the event was approximately $4.6 billion, 51 percent over budget. Besides the costs, these large gatherings also have the potential to turn violent and dangerous, harmful to both the host country and the tourists. Despite this, the Republic of Chile believes that the benefits outweigh the costs, and that sports are an excellent way to develop the global economy and increase globalization.
The Republic of Chile highly values sports. Football is the most popular sport, with large participation at both the amateur and the professional level. The Football Federation of Chile recently won both the 2015 and 2016 Copa America; the latter which was hosted in Chile and helped increase economic development and build and repair new stadiums. Chile hosted the 1962 FIFA World Cup, an event which greatly helped develop infrastructure and provide jobs to thousands. Tennis is the most successful sport. Chile has won both the Davis Cup and The World Team Cup. We have participated in the Olympics since 1896, and have won a total of 13 medals; including two gold medals. Chile is the leader in snow sport related tourism in Latin America; as Chile has great mountains used for skiing, with close to 1 million people visiting Chile to ski. We have worked to increase these levels through our Sports Tourism Congress, and hope to continue to succeed and develop through sports.
The Republic of Chile sees the potential and power of global sporting events, and hopes to work with the UN and UNDP to increase effectiveness and unity in arranging and developing future sporting events. We look forward to establishing unity through these events, and promoting an increase in cultural exchange We will support the growth of nations and economies through participation, and endorse the positive aspects of sports on a local, national and global scale.
