Pressure, purpose and change: Behind the touchline at the World Sports Summit in Dubai

Dubai recently hosted the inaugural World Sports Summit, a two-day gathering that featured some of the biggest names in global sport and focused more on conversation than competition.

The summit brought together athletes and industry leaders from a variety of disciplines, including basketball, football, boxing, and mixed martial arts. Rather than focusing on results or competition, the discussion explored how sport functions as a powerful social force that shapes communities and individual lives far beyond the field of competition.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the diversity of voices in attendance was what made the event stand out, calling it a “beautiful event that brings together the best of the sport here in Dubai”. Athletes and coaches from all walks of life are “excited about not just soccer, but sports as a whole,” he said.

As sport continues to expand as a global industry, panelists noted how its influence is increasing with pressure. Increased media scrutiny, expectations, and continued public exposure have changed the athlete experience, often in ways invisible to fans. American Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad told Euronews that while the sport celebrates strength and resilience, it has historically struggled to create space for vulnerability.

“You don’t hear too much about the different challenges that exist in sports, especially when it comes to mental health,” Muhammad said. “But I’m excited that we’re being more open about where we are at this moment in history and what athletes are going through.”

The dark side of sports

That openness was a recurring theme throughout the summit. Several speakers mentioned what they described as the “dark side” of elite sport, such as the pressure to perform and the difficulty of separating personal identity from public expectations.

Former NBA star Vlade Divac said athletes are constantly faced with a balancing act. “The media is important to sport and promotes good values,” he said. “But at the same time, we must find ways to protect ourselves from misinformation and unnecessary pressure.”

For others, those challenges are not limited to the past. UFC fighter Michael “Venom” Page has opened up about dealing with frustrations in real time, especially during periods of inactivity.

“This is an ongoing battle,” Page said. “When you spend a lot of time with yourself, you start to question things. You have to embrace the dark times, because with them comes light.”

“As the pressure increases, so do the challenges.”

In women’s sports, speakers highlighted how leagues are positioning themselves to more directly address these realities. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman told Euronews that continued success brings new expectations and with it new responsibilities.

“That’s why we’ve built an infrastructure to support our athletes, from mental health professionals to social media monitoring and anonymous reporting systems,” Berman said.

Beyond policies and structures, the summit also looked at how athletes cope on a personal level. For some, grounding begins with remembering why you started in the first place. Former NBA champion Tony Parker said focusing on the privilege of doing what he loves helped him get through difficult moments.

“We are so happy to be able to do what we love as a passion,” Parker said. “Sports brings people together and can inspire children and people.”

For some, faith plays a central role. Former boxing champion Manny Pacquiao spoke about faith and discipline, saying, “Believe in God, believe in yourself, and keep working. If you stay focused, you can achieve everything you dream of.”

Ukrainian heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk also spoke about the role faith and sport played during the Ukraine war. “Winning motivates people,” Usyk said. “People believe it’s possible.”

Community has emerged as another key pillar, both within the team and across the international sports network. Khalfan Belhoul, vice president of Dubai Sports Council, said the summit created a rare sense of openness among athletes.

“Their level of validation and comfort in discussing these points was amazing,” he said.

Former NBA player Baron Davis said the summit was a valuable opportunity to listen and learn from across disciplines. “For me, it’s always an opportunity to listen and learn and listen to masterminds and experts from around the world,” Davis said. “Rarely do we have a conference that truly represents all sports.”

Participants also noted that the athletes seemed comfortable engaging in conversations that are often avoided in traditional sports settings.

What distinguished the World Sports Summit was not a definitive roadmap for change, but a shared willingness to acknowledge that sport is more than competition. The pressures athletes face are real and addressing them requires honesty, empathy and collaboration at all levels of the industry.

As the conversation continues beyond Dubai, the summit’s message is clear. The future of sport depends not only on performance, but also on how well it supports the people at its center.