The Olympic System: Toward a Geopolitical Approach

3.3  Hosting a Large International Competition 

Being selected to host a large international competition is also a (sometimes 

very expensive) victory and allows the country to take the international limelight  

during the event. Some countries, for example Qatar, have implemented a policy 

to transform their image: “Sports are the fastest way to send a message and pro-

mote a country. When someone says ‘Middle East,’ you immediately think ‘ter-

rorists,’ right? Well, our leaders want Qatar to have a good reputation.”

47

46  The IOC ranks countries by the number of gold medals and not by the total number of medals. China, 

having won 51 gold medals out of 100 medals total, was therefore ranked ahead of the United States, 

which won 36 gold medals out of 110 medals total. Some American media outlets still put the United 

States in first place . . .

47  Taken from the 

Journal du dimanche

, Paris, February 15, 2004, M. Al-Mulla, Qatar Director of 

Communications.

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