This week, the tennis star Novak đoković will not start at ATP Masters events in Indian Wells. The non -participation of the tennis player indicates that his application for special exemption from the rules of the USA “one [of] The best champions of our sport “ Participate in the next tournaments in the United States despite its state of non -vaccination. A few weeks ago, đoković broke the Steffi Graf record when it became the first tennis player to lead the world ranking for at least 378 weeks. This historical sports achievement resulted from the return of the Serbian to number 1 in the current ranking after winning the Australia Open 2023. Last year, đoković lost this Grand Slam tournament, or its refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19. His non -participation captivated an international stir, including days of legal disputes about the entrance of the athlete into the country.[1] In contrast, German footballer Joshua Kimmich only faced the mainly national discussions in Germany towards the end of the same year after the media reports about his non -vaccination status. Athegh Bayern Munich player has been vaccinated since then, shares with đoković the line of argument that (no) vaccination decision is a private matter.
Without any intention to argue for or against the vaccination of COVID-19, this article refers to Chantal Mouffe’s theoretical work on agonist democracy To reveal the political dimension behind the supposed private decision of the athletes of vaccinating. Mouffe identifies ‘the political’ as the dimension of antagonism inherent in human relations. Also in the supposedly private context, people should always position themselves by taking an individual choice between conflicting alternatives. After Mouffe, in the context of COVID-19 vaccination, you can consult a vibrant democracy that there is an antagonism between obtaining the opportunity as a solidarity contribution In the fight against pandemic and individual freedom to decide on physical integrity itself. That’s why, he Stop points of Đoković and Kimmich In vaccination they are not (exclusive) private, but part of political debates such as the position of any other person on this matter. However, The impact of famous athletes is equally more pronounced on Covid-19 vaccination debates, since they receive high credibility in such matters related to health.. As models to continue with great scope, athletes It is likely to influence people’s views, whether solidarity of prioritization for society with their vaccination or demand individual freedom to decide their physical integrity.
In addition, the vaccination decision taken by Kimmich and Đoković Must be linked to antagonisms regarding Adjustment and relaxation of COVID-19 regulations. The essential conflict between collectively sticking to these rules to maintain pandemic under control and not restrict one’s freedom is likely that unvaccinated athletes enjoy the rights prior to 19. In the autumn of 2021, the peculiar situation that Kimmich was allowed to play in the stadiums, while the vaccination requirements would have denied the entrance as a spectator encouraged the criticisms of alleged privileges for different from society.. Similarly, the heated debates on the participation of the đoković not vaccinated in the Australian Open in early 2021 must be seen in the light of the hard blockage measures of the country, including the rigorous compensation of the entry that is at least two years. The non -vaccinated tennis player đoković could have become “A symbol of the Clemence of the Australian government with respect to its own restrictions”.
To affirm that the points of view of the athletes about vaccination have a political weight, since they are part of the antagonistic attitudes in society leads to a crucial point in Mouffe’s theoretical work on agonist pluralism. Following the political theorist, a set of practices and institutions for Provide a common symbolic space, With conflict sides They respect the right of others to exist So that irreconcilable opinions are accepted as legitimate perspectives. However, the cases of Kimmich and Đoković shows that Society has not been successful in establishing such Common symbolic space That disables the antagonism inherent to the decision of vaccination of peoples (no) in agonism. For example, the media representatives went to the funeral of Kimmich’s grandfather to interview relatives in the initial decision of non -vaccination of the player. Meanwhile, people on social networks roamed Kimmich Covid-19 disease, Demonstrating how an initial skeptic of COVID-19 vaccination was treated unfavorable, not only as a human being with another opinion.
Graduated student MA International and Political Sports Development
Colony of the German Sports University
[1] This paragraph was updated from the original that said Đoković did not participate in the Australian Open in 2021 and 2022.
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