According to recent history, nations use sports to achieve which of the following?

Nations often utilize sports as a means to pursue their own interests, leveraging the global platform that sports provide. This can take many forms, including using international sporting events like the Olympics or World Cup to enhance national prestige, strengthen diplomatic ties, or promote national unity. When a country excels in sports, it can foster a sense of pride and identity among its citizens, while also attracting attention and influence on the global stage.

In addition to national pride, governments may see sports as a vehicle for soft power, allowing them to project a positive image and foster relationships with other nations. This strategic use of sports can influence global perceptions and serve political or economic ends, illustrating how intertwined sports are with national policies and interests.

The other options, while they may represent some benefits of sports, do not fully capture the primary motivation of nations in leveraging sports on a global scale.