The idea behind international sporting competition is that it brings countries together, whatever their issues outside the lines. Sportsmanship, unity and all that good stuff.
Well, as we’re all being reminded by American swimmer Ryan Lochte and his maybe-not-robbed counterparts, there’s also a chance to create an international incident.
College basketball got a reminder of that exactly five years ago today when what was supposed to be a friendly exhibition between Georgetown and a professional Chinese team in Beijing exploded into a brawl.
With the score tied and less than 10 minutes to play, the Hoyas and their opponents found themselves swinging and tackling on each other all over the court. Not exactly what you like to see in a goodwill game.
A few months later, Georgetown opened the season 13-1 before finishing fourth in the Big East and getting knocked out in the Round of 32 of the NCAA tournament by N.C. State.