Dubai recently welcomed some of the most recognisable names in global sport, hosting the inaugural World Sports Summit, a two-day gathering focused less on competition and more on conversation.
The summit brought together athletes and industry leaders from across disciplines including basketball, football, boxing and mixed martial arts. Rather than centring on results or rivalries, discussions explored how sport functions as a powerful social force that shapes communities and individual lives far beyond the field of play.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the diversity of voices in the room was what made the event stand out, describing it as “a beautiful event here in Dubai, bringing together the best of the best in the sports world.” Athletes and leaders from different disciplines, he said, “make hearts beat, not just in football, but across sport.”
As sport continues to expand as a global industry, panelists addressed how its influence is growing alongside its pressures. Increasing media scrutiny, expectations and constant public exposure have reshaped the athlete experience, often in ways that are invisible to fans. American Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad told Euronews that while sport celebrates strength and resilience, it has historically struggled to make space for vulnerability.
“We don’t often hear about the different struggles that exist in sport, especially regarding mental health,” Muhammad said. “But I’m excited about where we are at this moment in history, where we’re being more open about what athletes go through.”
The darker side of sport
That openness became a recurring theme throughout the summit. Several speakers addressed what they described as the “darker side” of elite sport, including the pressure to perform and the difficulty of separating personal identity from public expectation.
Former NBA star Vlade Divac said athletes face a constant balancing act. “The media is important for sports, it promotes good values,” he said. “But at the same time, you have to find a way to protect yourself from false information and unnecessary pressure.”
For others, those challenges are not confined to the past. UFC fighter Michael “Venom” Page spoke candidly about navigating frustration in real time, particularly during periods of inactivity.
“It’s an ongoing battle,” Page said. “You spend a lot of time with yourself, you start questioning things. You have to accept the dark times, because with them comes the light as well.”
‘With increased pressure comes increased challenges’
In women’s sport, speakers highlighted how leagues are increasingly putting structures in place to address these realities more directly. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman told Euronews that sustained success brings new expectations and, with them, new responsibilities.
“That’s why we’ve built an infrastructure to support athletes,” Berman said, “from mental health professionals to social media monitoring and anonymous reporting systems.”
Beyond policy and structure, the summit also explored how athletes cope on a personal level. For some, grounding comes from remembering why they started in the first place. Former NBA champion Tony Parker said focusing on the privilege of doing what he loves helped him through difficult moments.
“We’re very blessed to do what we love as a passion,” Parker said. “Sports bring people together, and we can inspire kids, we can inspire people.”
For others, faith plays a central role. Former boxing champion Manny Pacquiao spoke about belief and discipline, saying, “Believe in God, believe in yourself and hard work. Focus, and you will achieve all that you’re dreaming for.”
Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk also described the role faith and sport have played during the war in Ukraine. “When you win, it motivates people,” Usyk said. “People believe it’s possible.”
Community emerged as another key pillar, both within teams and across international sporting networks. Khalfan Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, said the summit created a rare sense of openness among athletes.
“The level of validation and comfort they had to discuss these points was amazing to see,” he said.
Former NBA player Baron Davis described the summit as a rare opportunity to listen and learn across disciplines. “For me, it’s always an opportunity to listen, learn, and hear from masterminds and experts from around the world,” Davis said. “Not often do you have conferences that truly represent all sports.”
Attendees also noted that athletes appeared comfortable engaging in conversations often avoided in traditional sporting environments.
What set the World Sports Summit apart was not a definitive roadmap for change, but a shared willingness to acknowledge that sport is about more than competition. The pressures facing athletes are real, and addressing them requires honesty, empathy and collaboration across all levels of the industry.
As the conversations continue beyond Dubai, the summit’s message is clear: the future of sport depends not just on performance, but on how well it supports the people at its heart.