7.3 SPORT IS LIFE-SAVING 132 Team sports in particular create informal social situations that encourage dialogue, social engagement, and friendship among peers. This happens not only during the activity itself but also before and after, such as in locker rooms or at post-game gatherings. Look up some information about Jackie Robinson. See Unit 7.1. Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records. William Arthur Ward SPORTS AND INTEGRATION Sports can be considered as a universal language; it is a common ground that offers a chance for both social and racial integration. Sports for social integration It is a common experience that sport promotes cohesion within the members of a community. Whether it is a match among friends or colleagues, a local amateur tournament, a school championship, or a bigger sports event, participation encourages interaction and cooperation among members of that community. In these cases, sport has some important functions: it provides a chance for social participation of people from disadvantaged groups and marginalised communities such as migrants, people with disabilities, and at-risk youths, who might be excluded from traditional social structure; it promotes inclusion of people from different environments, encouraging values like empathy and tolerance; this can have a long-term impact on how individuals interact with one another in their daily lives; it reinforces a sense of collective identity as being part of, or supporting, a team means having a common goal, sharing rituals associated with that sport and experiences related to it; it creates a safe space where people can feel comfortable, build genuine relationships, overcome barriers and develop a sense of shared responsibility, which reflects on the society and the communities where they live; it gives poor talented children the opportunity to change their social and economic situation, through, for example, scholarships for merit in sports. Sports and racial integration In the last century, sport has proved essential for racial integration as a powerful means for destroying racial barriers: from Jackie Robinson, the first Afro-American playing baseball in a major league , to Jesse Owens, who defied Nazi ideology at the 1936 Olympics , athletes have often been at the forefront of social change. Today, sport continues to be a powerful tool to pursue racial harmony. Teams necessarily bring together individuals from different ethnic groups and backgrounds, but with a common purpose. Their interaction in training and competition promotes understanding, empathy, and respect, also contributing to destroy racial prejudices. Furthermore, successful athletes from minority groups serve as inspirational role models, challenging stereotypes and providing hope and aspirations for younger generations. at the forefront: in prima linea gathering: raduno to pursue: cercare Jackie Robinson 242 HISTORY, PHILOSOPHY, AND CIVIC EDUCATION