Difference between revisions of "Sport" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[Image:Youth-soccer-indiana.jpg|350px|right|thumb|Children playing [[soccer]].]]
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The purpose of sport is to produce joy in the heart of the participant. This joy is experienced when the mind and body of the participant unite together to accomplish one of the goals, techniques, or skills associated with that particular sport. Examples would include crossing the finish line in a race, sinking a putt in golf, catching a fish, or making a goal in soccer (football)
 
  
A '''sport''' is a [[human body|physical]] and mental endeavor where the participant engages in a recreational activity for competition, self-enjoyment, to attain excellence, for the development of skill or strength, or some combination of these. Competition, the challenge of nature and a scoring system are some of the components that make sport interesting for the participant. Each sport has a unique goal which defines its  characteristics. Sports often include some element of competition. This competition may be team vs. team, individual vs. individual, or individual vs. nature.
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[[Image:Youth-soccer-indiana.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Sport from childhood. [[Soccer]] is a team sport, and has social importance.]]
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'''Sport''' originated as a leisure activity and has evolved, in many cases, into a fierce, competitively-played activity which has risen to the top of the global popularity chart. All sports are governed by a set of rules or customs that ensure that the integrity of the sport is not compromised. ''Sports'' commonly refer to activities where one's physical ability will propel one to be victorious; however, the mental aspect (for example, [[toughness]]) is also crucial in any sport.
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{{toc}}
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==Etymology==
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The term,"Sport" comes from the [[French language|old French]] ''desport'' meaning "leisure"
  
==History of sport==
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==History==
''Main article: [[History of sport]]''
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{{main|History of sport}}
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[[Image:Greek statue discus thrower 2 century aC.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Ancient Rome|Roman]] bronze reduction of [[Myron]]'s [[Discobolos]], second century C.E.]]
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===Overview===
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There are artifacts and structures that suggest that the [[China|Chinese]] engaged in sporting activities as early as 4000 B.C.E.<ref>Chinese Culture, [http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa032301a.htm Sports History in China.] Retrieved November 24, 2007.</ref> [[Gymnastics]] appears to have been a popular sport in China's ancient past. Monuments to the Pharaohs indicate that a number of sports, including [[swimming]] and [[fishing]], were well-developed and regulated several thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt.<ref>IOA, [http://www.ioa.leeds.ac.uk/1980s/84085.htm Mr Ahmed D. Touny (EGY), IOC Member.] Retrieved November 24, 2007.</ref> Other Egyptian sports included javelin throwing, high jump, and [[wrestling]]. Ancient Persian sports such as the traditional Iranian martial art of ''Zourkhaneh'' had a close connection to the warfare skills.<ref>Kuwait info, [http://www.kuwait-info.com/newsnew/NewsDetails1.asp?id=78319&dt=10/13/2006&ntype=World  Persian warriors.] Retrieved November 24, 2007.</ref> Among other sports that originate in [[Iran|Persia]] are [[polo]] and [[jousting]].
  
Sports have developed in many different cultures through out the world. The history of sport can be connected to the development of military training, entertainment, and art.
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A wide range of sports were already established by the time of the rise of [[Ancient Greece]]; the military culture and the development of sports in Greece influenced one another considerably. Sports became a prominent part of their culture, leading to the creation of the Olympic Games, which in ancient times were held every four years in a small village in the [[Peloponnese|Peloponnesus]] called [[Olympia, Greece|Olympia]].<ref>The Olympics, [http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/ancient/index_uk.asp Ancient Olympic Games.] Retrieved November 24, 2007.</ref>
  
There are artifacts which suggest [[China|Chinese]] people engaged in activities which meet our definition of sport as early as 4000 b.c.e. [[Gymnastics]] appears to have been a popular sport in China's past. Monuments to the [[Pharaoh]]s indicate that a range of sports were well-developed and regulated several thousands of years ago, including swimming, fishing, javelin throwing, high jump, and wrestling. Ancient Persian sports, such as the traditional [[Iran]]ian martial art of Zourkhaneh had a close connection to warfare skills. Other sports originating in [[Iran|Persia]] are [[polo]] and [[jousting]].
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Sports have become increasingly organized and regulated from the time of the Ancient Olympics. Industrialization has brought increased leisure time to the citizens of developed and developing countries, leading to more time for citizens to attend and follow spectator sports, greater participation in athletic activities, and increased accessibility. These trends continued with the advent of mass media and global communication. Professionalism became prevalent, further adding to the increase in sport's popularity, as sports fans began following the exploits of professional athletes through radio, television, and the internet, as well as enjoying the exercise and competition associated with amateur participation in sports.
  
A wide range of sports were established in Ancient Greece. Wrestling, running, boxing, javelin, discus throwing, and chariot racing were prevalent at that time. The skills learned in these sports were also valuable for military training. This suggests that the military culture of Greece and the development of its sports were mutually inter-connected. Ancient Greece began the tradition of the [[Olympic Games]], held every four years in at a small village in Peloponnesus, called [[Olympia, Greece|Olympia]].
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==Ancient history==
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Prehistoric cave art discovered in [[France]], [[Africa]], and [[Australia]], carbon dated up to 30,000 years ago, provides evidence of ritual [[archery]]. The art's very existence demonstrates interest in skills unrelated to the functional tasks of staying alive, and is evidence of leisure time. It depicts other non-functional and apparently ritual activities as well.
  
Sport has become increasingly organized and regulated from the time of the Ancient Olympics. Sports such as hunting and fishing began as activities to procure food and survival during the period of hunting and gathering, then later became regulated activities done for pleasure or competition. The [[Industrial Revolution]] and development of mass production brought increased leisure time; allowing an increase in spectator sports, less elitism in sports, and greater accessibility for all people. These trends accelerated with the advent of mass media and global communication. Professionalism in sports helped increase their popularity. Additionally, the general public increasingly found the need to have fun, take a break from the hectic workday, and relieve unwanted stress through participating in sports.
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[[Captain Cook]], as the first Western visitor to the Hawaiian Islands, in 1778, reported on the native people [[surfing]]. The Native Americans engaged in games and sports, such as [[lacrosse]]-type games, foot racing, and other athletic activities before the coming of Europeans. The ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations played organized, ritualized ballgames. Some of the courts used at that time are still standing today.
  
== A classification of sports ==
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Individual sports, such as [[wrestling]] and archery, have been practiced worldwide since ancient times. Sport has been increasingly organized and regulated from the time of the Ancient Olympics up to the present century. Activities necessary for food and survival became regulated activities done for pleasure or competition on an increasing scale.
{{main|List of sports}}
 
  
The following classification of sports is based more on the sport's aim, rather than the actual mechanics. These examples are illustrative, rather than comprehensive.
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===Egypt===
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Monuments to the [[Pharaoh]]s of [[Ancient Egypt]] indicate that a range of sports were well-developed and regulated several thousands of years ago, including [[swimming]] and [[fishing]]. This is not surprising, perhaps, given the importance of the [[Nile River]] in the life of Egypt. Other sports included javelin throwing, high jump, and wrestling. As in Ancient Greece, the nature of the sports popular at the time suggests close correspondence with everyday non-sporting activities.
  
=== Opponent ===
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===China===
* Combat ([[wrestling]], [[Judo]], [[karate]], [[boxing]], [[fencing]], [[taekwondo|tae kwon do]]...)
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There are artifacts and structures which suggest that Chinese people engaged in activities which meet our definition of sport as early as 2000 years B.C.E. The origin and development of China's sports activities seem to have been closely related to the production, work, war and entertainment of the time. [[Gymnastics]] appears to have been a popular sport in China's past. It certainly remains so today, as the skill of Chinese acrobats is internationally recognized. China has a Beijing Museum which is dedicated to the subject of Chinese sport and its history.
* Court ([[tennis]], [[shuttlecock sport]], [[badminton]], [[volleyball]], [[squash (sport)|squash]], [[table tennis]]...)
 
* Team ([[baseball]], [[american football]], [[basketball]], [[hockey]], [[football (soccer)]],[[Gaelic football]][http://www.ladiesgaelic.ie] [[lacrosse]], [[cricket]], [[netball]], [[Rugby football|rugby]], [[croquet]], [[cheerleading]] ...)
 
  
=== Achievement ===
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===Greece===
* Target ([[archery]], [[shooting]], [[dart]]...)
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A wide range of sports were already in operation at the time of the ancient Greeks. Wrestling, running, boxing, chariot racing, javelin and discus throwing were prevalent, and there were ball games for children and adults. This suggests that the military culture of Greece was an influence on the development of its sports. Sporting competitions are described in the ''Iliad,'' one of the most important books of ancient Greek culture. Various competitions were held in honor of [[Patroclus]]' death. The Olympic Games were held every four years in Ancient Greece. In the noble Grecian ideal, victory at the Games was much sought after and was rewarded with an olive branch. Winners at the Games were often received with much honor throughout Greece and were often granted large sums of money, particularly in their home towns.
* Display ([[gymnastics]], [[bodybuilding]], [[equestrianism]], [[diving]]...)
 
* Strength ([[weight-lifting]], [[triple jump]], [[shot put]]...)
 
* Endurance ([[running]], [[cycling]], [[swimming]], [[triathlon]], [[orienteering]], [[cross-country skiing]]...)
 
  
=== Sports that fall into multiple categories ===
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The games were held not simply as a sporting event, but as a celebration of individual excellence, cultural and artistic variety, and a showplace for architectural and sculptural innovation. Fundamentally, it was a time of gratitude and respect for the Gods of the Greek religion. The games are named after Mount Olympus, a sacred place where the Gods were said to live. A time of truce was declared during the Olympic Games, as military actions and public executions were suspended. This was to enable people to congregate peacefully and to compete in a civilized and respectful atmosphere.
* [[Bowling]]
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* [[Curling]]
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===Mexico===
* [[Darts]]
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Archaeologists have dated the earliest ballcourts in Mesoamerica to 1600 B.C.E. The ball game was an extremely important part of ancient Mexican society, as testified by [Olmec]] statues that depict chiefs and important men wearing ballplaying gear such as helmets and padded clothing around 1200 B.C.E. The most important Classic Maya legend, the story of the Popul Vuh, centers around a pair of Hero Twins who play ball against the Lords of the Underworld. The Mesoamerican ball game had important symbolic associations, but also had more mundane functions—facilitating the celebration of holidays and gambling.
* [[Fishing]]
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* [[Golf]]
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===Rome===
* [[Stock car racing]]
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There were four types of Roman sports: Ludi (chariot racing, equestrian sports, boxing), munera (gladiatorial sports and wild beast shows), Greek-style athletics (foot race, pentathlon), and recreation sports which were (apparently) not professional, such as ludi pilae (ball games).
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==Modern sport==
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In the twenty-first century, the opportunity to participate in sports is limitless. There are a myriad of sports for different kinds of people. Beginning simply as a leisure activity, sport has evolved into a well-developed recreational pursuit as well as a huge professional business. Whether it is [[cricket]] in India, or [[basketball]] in the [[United States]], spectators are watching these sports on [[television]] at an exponentially rising rate. Certain sports, for example basketball, are taking their organization, the [[National Basketball Association]] to global heights in their "Basketball Without Borders" program.
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===Football (American)===
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{{main|Football (American)}}
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What once began as [[rugby]] has transformed itself into one of the globe's most watched sports. With stadiums built to seat an average of seventy thousand fans and some exceeding one hundred thousand, football has the greatest turnout of any sport. The violent tackles and quarterback sacks coupled with interceptions and exciting touchdowns have made football the most popular American game and the [[National Football League]] the most popular professional sports league. The object of the game is to score points by advancing the ball to the opponent's end zone for a touchdown, or to kick field goals, and to prevent the other team from doing likewise. The team with the most points when time has expired wins. The game begins with a coin toss as the winning team chooses whether they would like to receive the ball or begin with a kickoff. The team with the possession of the ball is given four chances (downs) to make a first down. The main options of scoring are the touchdown and the field goal, while you can also give up the ball by fumbling or throwing an interception. This sport is played on all levels: High school, college, amateur, and professional. In addition, it is one of the most played leisure sports by younger children.
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===Baseball===
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{{main|Baseball}}
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Baseball is a team sport popular in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and East Asia. The modern game was developed in the United States from early bat-and-ball games played in Britain and is known as the "national pastime" of the United States, although American football may arguably draw more fans and television viewership.
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===Basketball===
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{{main|Basketball}}
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Basketball is a team [[sport]] in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by throwing a basketball through a 10-foot high hoop (the ''basket'') under organized rules. It was created by [[James A. Naismith]] in 1891 in Springfield, [[Massachusetts]]. [[Basketball]] is one of the most popular and widely viewed sports in the world. There are professional and amateur basketball leagues in many countries and it is one of the most popular of Olympics sports as well. Like other team sports, basketball stresses not only athletic agility but also team work and competition.
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Points are scored by passing the ball through the basket from above; the team with more points at the end of the game wins. The ball can be advanced on the court by bouncing it ''(dribbling)'' or passing it between teammates. Disruptive physical contact ''(fouls)'' is not permitted and there are restrictions on how the ball can be handled.
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The [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) is the world's premier men's basketball league. It has 30 teams; 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. It is an active member of USA Basketball (also known as FIBA), which is recognized by the International Basketball Federation as the National Governing Body (NGB) for basketball in the United States. The league was founded in New York City, on June 6, 1946, as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league adopted the name National Basketball Association in the Autumn of 1949, after merging with the rival National Basketball League (United States). The NBA represents the highest level of competition in the world of basketball. It has grown in international popularity as the best players of the world have joined America's top players.
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===Ice hockey===
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{{main|Ice hockey}}
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one of the more physical sports, is one of the four major professional sports, and is represented by the National Hockey League (NHL) at its highest level. The sport itself is played on numerous levels, including men and women's NCAA hockey, men and women's national hockey league, and so on. What arose as a pastime in Canada has become popular in almost all parts of the world, especially the colder areas, where hockey can be played outdoors on ice. In fact, Canadian hockey comprises of six teams of the NHL, and the number of Canadian players in comparison to Americans is approximately four to one.
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The sport's popularity in the U.S. is concentrated in certain regions, notably the Northeast, the Midwest, and [[Alaska]]. This concentration helps to make ice hockey the least watched major sport in the [[United States]], though it is by far the most watched sport in [[Canada]]. Nonetheless, in certain major U.S. cities like Buffalo, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Denver, San Jose, and Columbus it commands popularity levels similar to and occasionally exceeding [[basketball]] for winter sports fans.
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The NHL was founded in 1917 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with only four teams. Through a series of expansions, contractions, and relocations, the league is now composed of 30 teams, 24 of which are based in the United States and six in Canada. After a labor dispute that led to the cancellation of the complete 2004–05 season, the league has staged a successful comeback, including revenue and profit growth. As a result of the Canadian influence, the majority of the hockey league consists of players of Canadian descent.
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===Golf===
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{{main|Golf}}
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Golf is a sport in which individual players or teams of players strike a ball into a hole using several types of clubs. Golf is one of the few ball games that does not use a fixed, standardized playing field or area; defined in the Rules of Golf as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules."
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The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews The first game of golf for which records survive was played at Bruntsfield Links, in Edinburgh, Scotland, in A.D. 1456, recorded in the archives of the Edinburgh Burgess Golfing Society, now The Royal Burgess Golfing Society.
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===Soccer===
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{{main|Soccer}}
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As one of the most popular sports in the world, soccer is a team sport that consists of eleven players vying to kick the ball past the goalie and into the net. In terms of scoring, soccer generates the fewest points (goals); however, game play is more intense and physical than in many sports. There is almost never a rupture in the action, and upon scoring a goal, the fans break into a frenzy that can rarely be matched by other sports.
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===Tennis===
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{{main|Tennis}}
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Tennis is a game played between two players (singles) or between two teams of two players (doubles). Players use a stringed racket to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Originating in Europe in the late nineteenth century, tennis spread first throughout the English-speaking world, particularly among the upper classes. Tennis is now once again an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society, by all ages, and in many countries around the world. Except for the adoption of the tie-breaker in the 1970s, its rules have remained remarkably unchanged since the 1890s. Along with its millions of players, millions of people follow tennis as a spectator sport, especially the four Grand Slam tournaments: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open.
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===Volleyball===
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{{main|Volleyball}}
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Volleyball is a globally recognized sport that originated in the [[United States]]. Play is started by a player on one side serving the ball over the the net into the opponents' field or court. The opponents then, without allowing the ball to strike the floor, return it, and it is in this way kept going back and forth until one side fails to return it or it hits the floor. This counts a "score" for one side, or a "server out" for the other, depending on the side in point. The game consists of nine innings, each side serving a certain number of times, as per the rules, per inning. The complete rules of volleyball are extensive, but in general, play proceeds as follows. Points are scored by grounding the ball on the opponents' court, or when the opponent commits a fault. The first team to reach 25 points wins the set and the first team to win three sets wins the match. Teams can contact the ball no more than three times before the ball crosses the net, and consecutive contacts must be made by different players. The ball is usually played with the hands or arms, but players can legally strike or push (short contact) the ball with any part of the body.
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===Other sports===
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There are numerous sports that are played frequently and are in demand in terms of popularity and appeal. These include [[cricket]], [[lacrosse]], [[rugby]], [[fishing]], [[horse racing]], and [[water polo]], among others.
  
 
==Sportsmanship==
 
==Sportsmanship==
'''Sportsmanship''' may be defined as the "conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants, including a sense of fair play, courtesy toward teammates and opponents, a striving spirit, and grace in losing."
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{{main|Sportsmanship}}
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'''Sportsmanship''' is an attitude that strives for fair play, courtesy toward teammates and opponents, ethical behavior and integrity, and grace in losing.<ref>Merriam Webster, [http://www.merriam.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=sportsmanship Sportsmanship.] Retrieved November 24, 2007.</ref>
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Sportsmanship expresses an aspiration or ethos that the activity will be enjoyed for its own sake. The well-known sentiment by sports journalist [[Grantland Rice]], that it is “not that you won or lost but how you played the game," and the Modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder [[Pierre de Coubertin]]: "The most important thing … is not winning but taking part" are typical expressions of this sentiment.
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But often the pressures of competition or an obsession with individual achievement&mdash;as well as the intrusion of technology&mdash;can all work against enjoyment and fair play by participants.
  
Sportsmanship expresses an aspiration or ethos that the activity is to be enjoyed for its own sake. Typical expressions of the philosophy of sportsmanship include the well-known statement by sports journalist [[Grantland Rice]] that it's “not that you won or lost but how you played the game." Likewise, the Modern Olympic creed of its founder, Pierre de Coubertin, states that "The most important thing . . . is not winning but taking part.
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People responsible for leisure activities often seek recognition and respectability as sports by joining sports federations such as 5 [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]], or by forming their own regulatory body. In this way, sports evolve from leisure activity to more formal sports: Relatively recent newcomers are BMX cycling, snowboarding, and [[wrestling]]. Some of these activities have been popular but uncodified pursuits in various forms for different lengths of time. Indeed, the formal regulation of sport is a relatively modern and increasing development.
  
Still, the pressures of competition or an obsession with individual achievement &mdash; as well as the intrusion of technology &mdash; all often work against enjoyment and fair play by participants.  
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Sportsmanship, within any given game, is how each competitor acts before, during, and after the competition. The challenge of huge monetary rewards, as sport has become a big business, has made some impact on the notion of sportsmanship.
  
Sportsmanship, within any given game, is how each competitor acts before, during, and after the competition. Not only is it important to have good sportsmanship if one wins, but also if one loses. For example, in [[football (soccer)|football]] it is considered sportsmanlike to kick the ball out of play to allow treatment for an injured player on the other side. Reciprocally, the other team is expected to return the ball from the throw-in.
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Still, each sport has its own definition of what counts as good sportsmanship, informal rules which are to be obeyed. Failure to do so usually results in criticism or even a fight. For example, in [[football (soccer)|football]] it is considered sportsmanlike to kick the ball out of play to allow treatment for an injured player on the other side. Reciprocally, the other team is expected to return the ball from the throw-in. Ice hockey players traditionally don't take a shot after the whistle blows. Doing so could lead to retaliation.
  
People responsible for sporting activities often seek recognition and respectability by joining sports federations such as the [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]], or by forming their own regulatory body. In this way sports evolve from leisure activity to more formal sports. Some of these activities have been popular but uncodified pursuits in various forms for various lengths of time. Indeed, the formal regulation of sport is a relatively modern development, which is increasing over time.
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[[Violence in sports]] involves crossing the line between fair competition and intentional aggressive violence. Athletes, coaches, fans, and parents sometimes unleash violent behavior on people or property, in misguided shows of loyalty, dominance, anger, or celebration. [[Rioting]] or [[hooliganism]] are common and ongoing problems at national and international sporting contests, particularly [[football]] matches
  
Violence in sports, the opposite of sportsmanship involves crossing the line between fair competition and intentional aggressive behavior. Athletes, coaches, fans, and parents sometimes unleash violent behavior on people or property, in misguided shows of loyalty, dominance, anger, or celebration.
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[[Image:OHL-Hockey-Plymouth-Whalers-vs-Saginaw-Spirit.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Modern sports have complex [[rule]]s and are highly organized.]]
  
==Professionalism and the regulation of sport ==
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==Politics==
The entertainment aspect of sport, the spread of mass media, and increased leisure time have contributed to professionalism in sport. This sometimes conflicts the original meaning of sport, as the paycheck may seem to be more important than recreational aspects, or the sport is changed simply to make it more profitable and popular, losing some of its valued traditions.
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At times, sports and politics can have a large amount of influence on each other.  
  
The entertainment aspect also means that sportsmen and women are often elevated to celebrity status.  
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When [[apartheid]] was the official policy in [[South Africa]], many athletes, particularly in [[rugby]], adopted the conscientious approach that they should not appear in competitive sports there. Some feel this was an effective contribution to the eventual demolition of the policy of apartheid, others feel that it may have prolonged and reinforced its worst effects.<ref>Blackwell Synergy, [http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1478-0542.2005.00165.x Sport and apartheid.] Retrieved November 24, 2007.</ref>
  
The successful execution of a sport requires the consensus agreement of the participants on a set of rules for fair competition. This has led to the control of each sport through a regulatory body to define what methods of competition are acceptable and what are considered cheating.
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The [[1936 Summer Olympics]], held in [[Berlin]], was an [[illustration]], perhaps best recognized in retrospect, of a political ideology using an event for [[propaganda]] purposes. The 1980 Olympics were boycotted by the United States in response to the [[Soviet invastion of Afghanistan]]. The Soviets retaliated, boycotting the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.
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[[Image:Bruno Senna 2006 Australian Grand Prix.jpg|thumb|200px|right|In modern sport [[motorization]] has appeared.]]
  
==Sport and politics==
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In the history of [[Ireland]], Gaelic sports were connected with [[cultural]] [[nationalism]]. Until the mid twentieth century, a person could have been banned from playing [[Gaelic football]], [[hurling]], or other sports administered by the [[Gaelic Athletic Association]] (GAA) if she/he played or supported [[soccer]], or other games seen to be of [[Great Britain|British]] origin. Until recently the GAA continued to ban the playing of soccer and [[rugby]] at Gaelic venues. This ban is still enforced, but has been modified to allow  football and rugby be played in [[Croke Park]] while [[Lansdowne Road]] is being redeveloped. Until recently, under Rule 21, the GAA also banned members of the British security forces and members of the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary|RUC]] from playing Gaelic games, but the advent of the [[Good Friday Agreement]], in 1998, led to the eventual removal of the ban.
Politics have at times created dilemmas for sport and sporting events.  
 
  
When [[apartheid]] was the official policy in South Africa, many sportspeople adopted the conscientious approach that they should not appear in competitive sports there. Some feel this was an effective contribution to the eventual demolition of the policy of apartheid, others feel that it may have prolonged and reinforced its worst effects.
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[[Nationalism]] is often evident in the pursuit of sports, or in its reporting: People compete in national teams, or commentators and audiences can adopt a partisan view. Usually, the result is good, clean competition. However, on occasion, such tensions can lead to violent confrontation among players or spectators within and beyond the sporting venue (see [[Football War]]). These trends are seen by many as contrary to the fundamental ethos of sports being carried on for its own sake and for the enjoyment of its participants.
  
The [[1936 Summer Olympics]] held in [[Berlin]] was an illustration, perhaps best recognized in retrospect, in which a sporting event was used to promote an ideology  through the use of propaganda, both during the games and in [[Leni Riefenstahl]]'s subsequent film of the event, ''Olympia'', commissioned by [[Adolf Hitler]].
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==Physical art==
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[[Image:Gymnasta.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Gymnastics]]]]
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Sports have many affinities with [[art]]. [[Ice skating]] and [[Tai chi]], and [[Dancesport]] for example, are sports that bear similarities to artistic spectacles. Similarly, there are other activities that have elements of sport and art in their execution, such as [[artistic gymnastics]], [[Bodybuilding]], [[Parkour]], [[performance art]], [[Yoga]], [[bossaball]], [[dressage]], [[culinary arts]], etc. Perhaps the best example is [[Bull-fighting]], which in Spain is reported in the arts pages of newspapers. The fact that art is so close to sports in some situations is probably related to the nature of sports. Sport, like art, has a utilitarian purpose, but is also pursued for its own sake, for beauty and enjoyment.  
  
In the history of [[Ireland]], Gaelic sports were connected with [[cultural nationalism]]. Until the mid [[twentieth century]] a person could have been banned from playing [[Gaelic football]], [[hurling]], or other sports administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association if they played or supported [[football (soccer)|football]], or other games of [[United Kingdom|British]] origin, but the advent of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 led to the eventual removal of the ban.
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Art and sports have been clearly linked since the time of [[Ancient Greece]], when gymnastics and calisthenics invoked admiration and aesthetic appreciation for the physical build, prowess and "arete" displayed by participants. The modern term "art" as skill, is related to this ancient Greek term ''arete,'' which roughly translates as excellence. The closeness of art and sport in these times was revealed by the nature of the Olympic Games which, as we have seen, were celebrations of both sporting and artistic achievements, [[poetry]], [[sculpture]], and [[architecture]].
  
[[Nationalism]] is often evident in the pursuit of sport, or in its reporting. Competition in global events such as the Olympics or World Cup tends to become highly nationalistic, both in the competitors and the media that reports the events. These trends are seen by some as contrary to the fundamental ethos of sport.
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==Spectator sport==
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{{main|Spectator sport}}
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As well as being a form of recreation for the participants, much sport is played in front of an [[audience]]. Most professional sport is played in a 'theater' of some kind&ndash;a [[stadium]], [[arena]], [[golf course]], [[race track]], or the open road, with provision for the (often paying) public.
  
==Art and sport==
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Large television or radio audiences are also commonly attracted, with rival broadcasters bidding large amounts of money for the 'rights' to show certain fixtures. The football [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] attracts a global [[television]] audience of hundreds of millions; the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006]] [[FIFA World Cup Finals|Final]] alone attracted an estimated worldwide audience of well over 700 million. In the [[United States]], the championship game of the [[National Football League|NFL]], the [[Super Bowl]], has become one of the most watched television broadcasts of the year. '''Super Bowl Sunday''' is a "de facto" national holiday; the viewership is so great that in 2007 advertising space was reported as being sold at [[$]]2.6m for a 30 second slot.
Sport has many affinities with [[art]]. Ice skating and [[Tai chi]], for example, are sports that contain artistic elements. These activities have much in common with [[ballet]]. Similarly, other activities have elements of sport and art in their execution, such as [[performance art]], artistic gymnastics, bodybuilding, [[fly fishing|fly tying]], [[Yoga]], and dressage, among others. Perhaps the best example is bull-fighting, which in Spain is reported in the arts pages of newspapers.
 
  
The very concept of sport includes performance. The athlete displays great skill, based on special ability, striving for the best performance possible. This performance has an [[Aesthetics|aesthetic]] value for participant and viewer alike, expressing traits like grace, poise, and charisma.
+
==The impact of sports: The unification factor==
 +
Sports in general are a medium through which many experience stress relief, and furthermore, a way through which a conglomeration of cultures can become unified. "Sports affect politics, fuel our economy, and shape our culture. The American Dream is personified in our champions, in the records they set and the barriers they break. The dynamic interaction of athletes, fans, and the media produces inexplicable loyalties, lasting legends, and revered heroes. The greatest champions stand for more than the records they break. They stand for the barriers they shatter—physical, social, psychological, racial, cultural—and change the way we think about our world."<ref name=smith>Sports Illustrated, [http://americanhistory.si.edu/sports/exhibit/introduction/index.cfm Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers.] Retrieved November 24, 2007.</ref>
  
 +
==Breaking barriers and records==
 +
===Boxing: America's first national sports celebrity: John L. Sullivan===
 +
"John L. Sullivan fought his way to the heavyweight championship and charmed his way to truly national celebrity. The bare-knuckle prizefighter personified the masculine, aggressive spirit of the era, and the fans who loved him vastly outnumbered his detractors. Though boxing was illegal in most states, the press-savvy Sullivan won fans from every walk of life, including the president of the United States. At the high point of his career, Sullivan's supporters bought him a diamond-encrusted belt which was presented to him by the mayor of Boston. "The Great John L." lost only one of his nearly 50 career fights, falling to James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett in 1892."<ref name=smith/>
  
Art and sport were probably more clearly linked at the time of Ancient Greece, when gymnastics and calisthenics invoked admiration and aesthetic appreciation for the physical build, prowess and 'arete' displayed by participants. The modern term 'art' as skill, is related to this ancient Greek term 'arete'. The closeness of art and sport in these times was revealed in the nature of the [[Olympic Games]] which were celebrations of both sporting and artistic achievements, poetry, sculpture and architecture.
+
===Swimming: Gertrude Ederle===
 +
*Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel.
 +
*Born: New York City, New York, 1906–2003
 +
*Gold Medalist, 400-meter freestyle relay, Paris Olympics, 1924
 +
*Bronze Medalist, 100- and 400-meter freestyle, Paris Olympics, 1924
 +
*29 U.S. and world swimming records
 +
*Taught deaf children to swim after water damaged her own hearing<ref name=smith/>
  
 +
===Breaking the color barrier: Jackie Robinson===
 +
*Name: Jackie Roosevelt Robinson
 +
*Born: Cairo, Georgia, 1919–1972
 +
*First African American to play Major League Baseball, 1947
 +
*First African American inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame, 1962
 +
*6 National League pennants, 1 World Series win
 +
*Stole home 19 times
 +
*Retired with .311 batting average, 1956
 +
*Rookie of the Year, 1947
 +
*Lifetime civil rights activist<ref name=smith/>
  
 +
===Gibson's Wimbledon===
 +
*Name: Althea Gibson
 +
*Born: Silver, South Carolina, 1927–2003
 +
*First African American to play in U.S. Nationals, 1950, and at Wimbledon, 1951
 +
*First African American to win French Open Singles Championship, 1956
 +
*U.S. National Singles Champion, 1957, 1958
 +
*Wimbledon Singles Champion, 1957, 1958
 +
*Actress and singer
 +
*Civil rights activist<ref name=smith/>
  
== Recommended reading ==
+
===The mile run===
* ''The Meaning of Sports'' by Michael Mandel (PublicAffairs, ISBN 1-58648-252-1).
+
*Name: Roger Gilbert Bannister
* [http://www.humankinetics.com/JPS/index.cfm Journal of the Philosophy of Sport]
+
*Born: Harrow, Middlesex, England, 1929–
 +
*First to break the four-minute mile (3:59.4), 1954
 +
*Chairman of Sports Council of Great Britain, 1971–1974
 +
*President of International Council for Sports and Recreation, 1976–1983
 +
*Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, 1975
 +
*Graduated from Oxford University Medical School, became neurologist
 +
*Editor of numerous medical books and journals <ref name=smith/>
 +
[[Image:Three point shoot.JPG|thumb|200px|right|[[Basketball]]]]
 +
==See also==
 +
* [[Sports journalism]]
 +
* [[Martial arts|Combat Sport]]
 +
* [[Sports equipment]]
  
==External links==
+
==Notes==
* [http://www.international-match.eu Countries Comparison, ranking lists sports]
+
<references/>
* [http://dmoz.org/Sports/ Open Directory Project - Sports]
 
* [http://dir.yahoo.com/Recreation/Sports/ Yahoo! - Sports]
 
* [http://news.google.com/news?topic=s Google - Sports News]
 
* [http://uk.newsbot.msn.com/s/?id=2 MSN - Sports News] (UK)
 
* [http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=index&cid=755 Yahoo! - Sports News]
 
* [http://sportsnewsandscores.com Aggregated Sports News]
 
* [http://www.worldcupyears.com  Encyclopedia of one of the worlds greatest sport]
 
* [http://www.timelessquotes.com/topic/Sports.html Sports Quotes]
 
* [http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/ An encyclopedia for American sports ]
 
  
{{Technology-footer}}
+
==References==
  
[[Category:Games]]
 
  
[[Category:Technology]]
+
* Hickock, Ralph. ''The Encyclopedia of North American Sports History.'' New York: Facts on File, Copyright 1992. ISBN 9780816020966.
 +
* Mandel, Michael. ''The Meaning of Sports''. PublicAffairs. ISBN 1-58648-252-1.
 +
* Menke, G. Frank. ''The Encyclopedia of Sports''. South Brunswick: A.S. Barnes, 1975. ISBN 9780498014406.
  
 
[[Category:Art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
 
[[Category:Art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
 
[[Category: Sports and leisure]]
 
[[Category: Sports and leisure]]
{{credit |55993933}}
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{{credits|Sport|158832157}}

Latest revision as of 15:11, 17 October 2015


Sport from childhood. Soccer is a team sport, and has social importance.

Sport originated as a leisure activity and has evolved, in many cases, into a fierce, competitively-played activity which has risen to the top of the global popularity chart. All sports are governed by a set of rules or customs that ensure that the integrity of the sport is not compromised. Sports commonly refer to activities where one's physical ability will propel one to be victorious; however, the mental aspect (for example, toughness) is also crucial in any sport.

Etymology

The term,"Sport" comes from the old French desport meaning "leisure"

History

Roman bronze reduction of Myron's Discobolos, second century C.E.

Overview

There are artifacts and structures that suggest that the Chinese engaged in sporting activities as early as 4000 B.C.E.[1] Gymnastics appears to have been a popular sport in China's ancient past. Monuments to the Pharaohs indicate that a number of sports, including swimming and fishing, were well-developed and regulated several thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt.[2] Other Egyptian sports included javelin throwing, high jump, and wrestling. Ancient Persian sports such as the traditional Iranian martial art of Zourkhaneh had a close connection to the warfare skills.[3] Among other sports that originate in Persia are polo and jousting.

A wide range of sports were already established by the time of the rise of Ancient Greece; the military culture and the development of sports in Greece influenced one another considerably. Sports became a prominent part of their culture, leading to the creation of the Olympic Games, which in ancient times were held every four years in a small village in the Peloponnesus called Olympia.[4]

Sports have become increasingly organized and regulated from the time of the Ancient Olympics. Industrialization has brought increased leisure time to the citizens of developed and developing countries, leading to more time for citizens to attend and follow spectator sports, greater participation in athletic activities, and increased accessibility. These trends continued with the advent of mass media and global communication. Professionalism became prevalent, further adding to the increase in sport's popularity, as sports fans began following the exploits of professional athletes through radio, television, and the internet, as well as enjoying the exercise and competition associated with amateur participation in sports.

Ancient history

Prehistoric cave art discovered in France, Africa, and Australia, carbon dated up to 30,000 years ago, provides evidence of ritual archery. The art's very existence demonstrates interest in skills unrelated to the functional tasks of staying alive, and is evidence of leisure time. It depicts other non-functional and apparently ritual activities as well.

Captain Cook, as the first Western visitor to the Hawaiian Islands, in 1778, reported on the native people surfing. The Native Americans engaged in games and sports, such as lacrosse-type games, foot racing, and other athletic activities before the coming of Europeans. The ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations played organized, ritualized ballgames. Some of the courts used at that time are still standing today.

Individual sports, such as wrestling and archery, have been practiced worldwide since ancient times. Sport has been increasingly organized and regulated from the time of the Ancient Olympics up to the present century. Activities necessary for food and survival became regulated activities done for pleasure or competition on an increasing scale.

Egypt

Monuments to the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt indicate that a range of sports were well-developed and regulated several thousands of years ago, including swimming and fishing. This is not surprising, perhaps, given the importance of the Nile River in the life of Egypt. Other sports included javelin throwing, high jump, and wrestling. As in Ancient Greece, the nature of the sports popular at the time suggests close correspondence with everyday non-sporting activities.

China

There are artifacts and structures which suggest that Chinese people engaged in activities which meet our definition of sport as early as 2000 years B.C.E. The origin and development of China's sports activities seem to have been closely related to the production, work, war and entertainment of the time. Gymnastics appears to have been a popular sport in China's past. It certainly remains so today, as the skill of Chinese acrobats is internationally recognized. China has a Beijing Museum which is dedicated to the subject of Chinese sport and its history.

Greece

A wide range of sports were already in operation at the time of the ancient Greeks. Wrestling, running, boxing, chariot racing, javelin and discus throwing were prevalent, and there were ball games for children and adults. This suggests that the military culture of Greece was an influence on the development of its sports. Sporting competitions are described in the Iliad, one of the most important books of ancient Greek culture. Various competitions were held in honor of Patroclus' death. The Olympic Games were held every four years in Ancient Greece. In the noble Grecian ideal, victory at the Games was much sought after and was rewarded with an olive branch. Winners at the Games were often received with much honor throughout Greece and were often granted large sums of money, particularly in their home towns.

The games were held not simply as a sporting event, but as a celebration of individual excellence, cultural and artistic variety, and a showplace for architectural and sculptural innovation. Fundamentally, it was a time of gratitude and respect for the Gods of the Greek religion. The games are named after Mount Olympus, a sacred place where the Gods were said to live. A time of truce was declared during the Olympic Games, as military actions and public executions were suspended. This was to enable people to congregate peacefully and to compete in a civilized and respectful atmosphere.

Mexico

Archaeologists have dated the earliest ballcourts in Mesoamerica to 1600 B.C.E. The ball game was an extremely important part of ancient Mexican society, as testified by [Olmec]] statues that depict chiefs and important men wearing ballplaying gear such as helmets and padded clothing around 1200 B.C.E. The most important Classic Maya legend, the story of the Popul Vuh, centers around a pair of Hero Twins who play ball against the Lords of the Underworld. The Mesoamerican ball game had important symbolic associations, but also had more mundane functions—facilitating the celebration of holidays and gambling.

Rome

There were four types of Roman sports: Ludi (chariot racing, equestrian sports, boxing), munera (gladiatorial sports and wild beast shows), Greek-style athletics (foot race, pentathlon), and recreation sports which were (apparently) not professional, such as ludi pilae (ball games).

Modern sport

In the twenty-first century, the opportunity to participate in sports is limitless. There are a myriad of sports for different kinds of people. Beginning simply as a leisure activity, sport has evolved into a well-developed recreational pursuit as well as a huge professional business. Whether it is cricket in India, or basketball in the United States, spectators are watching these sports on television at an exponentially rising rate. Certain sports, for example basketball, are taking their organization, the National Basketball Association to global heights in their "Basketball Without Borders" program.

Football (American)

Main article: Football (American)

What once began as rugby has transformed itself into one of the globe's most watched sports. With stadiums built to seat an average of seventy thousand fans and some exceeding one hundred thousand, football has the greatest turnout of any sport. The violent tackles and quarterback sacks coupled with interceptions and exciting touchdowns have made football the most popular American game and the National Football League the most popular professional sports league. The object of the game is to score points by advancing the ball to the opponent's end zone for a touchdown, or to kick field goals, and to prevent the other team from doing likewise. The team with the most points when time has expired wins. The game begins with a coin toss as the winning team chooses whether they would like to receive the ball or begin with a kickoff. The team with the possession of the ball is given four chances (downs) to make a first down. The main options of scoring are the touchdown and the field goal, while you can also give up the ball by fumbling or throwing an interception. This sport is played on all levels: High school, college, amateur, and professional. In addition, it is one of the most played leisure sports by younger children.

Baseball

Main article: Baseball

Baseball is a team sport popular in North America, Latin America, the Caribbean and East Asia. The modern game was developed in the United States from early bat-and-ball games played in Britain and is known as the "national pastime" of the United States, although American football may arguably draw more fans and television viewership.

Basketball

Main article: Basketball

Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by throwing a basketball through a 10-foot high hoop (the basket) under organized rules. It was created by James A. Naismith in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Basketball is one of the most popular and widely viewed sports in the world. There are professional and amateur basketball leagues in many countries and it is one of the most popular of Olympics sports as well. Like other team sports, basketball stresses not only athletic agility but also team work and competition.

Points are scored by passing the ball through the basket from above; the team with more points at the end of the game wins. The ball can be advanced on the court by bouncing it (dribbling) or passing it between teammates. Disruptive physical contact (fouls) is not permitted and there are restrictions on how the ball can be handled.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the world's premier men's basketball league. It has 30 teams; 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. It is an active member of USA Basketball (also known as FIBA), which is recognized by the International Basketball Federation as the National Governing Body (NGB) for basketball in the United States. The league was founded in New York City, on June 6, 1946, as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league adopted the name National Basketball Association in the Autumn of 1949, after merging with the rival National Basketball League (United States). The NBA represents the highest level of competition in the world of basketball. It has grown in international popularity as the best players of the world have joined America's top players.

Ice hockey

Main article: Ice hockey

one of the more physical sports, is one of the four major professional sports, and is represented by the National Hockey League (NHL) at its highest level. The sport itself is played on numerous levels, including men and women's NCAA hockey, men and women's national hockey league, and so on. What arose as a pastime in Canada has become popular in almost all parts of the world, especially the colder areas, where hockey can be played outdoors on ice. In fact, Canadian hockey comprises of six teams of the NHL, and the number of Canadian players in comparison to Americans is approximately four to one. The sport's popularity in the U.S. is concentrated in certain regions, notably the Northeast, the Midwest, and Alaska. This concentration helps to make ice hockey the least watched major sport in the United States, though it is by far the most watched sport in Canada. Nonetheless, in certain major U.S. cities like Buffalo, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Chicago, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Denver, San Jose, and Columbus it commands popularity levels similar to and occasionally exceeding basketball for winter sports fans.

The NHL was founded in 1917 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, with only four teams. Through a series of expansions, contractions, and relocations, the league is now composed of 30 teams, 24 of which are based in the United States and six in Canada. After a labor dispute that led to the cancellation of the complete 2004–05 season, the league has staged a successful comeback, including revenue and profit growth. As a result of the Canadian influence, the majority of the hockey league consists of players of Canadian descent.

Golf

Main article: Golf

Golf is a sport in which individual players or teams of players strike a ball into a hole using several types of clubs. Golf is one of the few ball games that does not use a fixed, standardized playing field or area; defined in the Rules of Golf as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules."

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews The first game of golf for which records survive was played at Bruntsfield Links, in Edinburgh, Scotland, in A.D. 1456, recorded in the archives of the Edinburgh Burgess Golfing Society, now The Royal Burgess Golfing Society.

Soccer

Main article: Soccer

As one of the most popular sports in the world, soccer is a team sport that consists of eleven players vying to kick the ball past the goalie and into the net. In terms of scoring, soccer generates the fewest points (goals); however, game play is more intense and physical than in many sports. There is almost never a rupture in the action, and upon scoring a goal, the fans break into a frenzy that can rarely be matched by other sports.

Tennis

Main article: Tennis

Tennis is a game played between two players (singles) or between two teams of two players (doubles). Players use a stringed racket to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Originating in Europe in the late nineteenth century, tennis spread first throughout the English-speaking world, particularly among the upper classes. Tennis is now once again an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society, by all ages, and in many countries around the world. Except for the adoption of the tie-breaker in the 1970s, its rules have remained remarkably unchanged since the 1890s. Along with its millions of players, millions of people follow tennis as a spectator sport, especially the four Grand Slam tournaments: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open.

Volleyball

Main article: Volleyball

Volleyball is a globally recognized sport that originated in the United States. Play is started by a player on one side serving the ball over the the net into the opponents' field or court. The opponents then, without allowing the ball to strike the floor, return it, and it is in this way kept going back and forth until one side fails to return it or it hits the floor. This counts a "score" for one side, or a "server out" for the other, depending on the side in point. The game consists of nine innings, each side serving a certain number of times, as per the rules, per inning. The complete rules of volleyball are extensive, but in general, play proceeds as follows. Points are scored by grounding the ball on the opponents' court, or when the opponent commits a fault. The first team to reach 25 points wins the set and the first team to win three sets wins the match. Teams can contact the ball no more than three times before the ball crosses the net, and consecutive contacts must be made by different players. The ball is usually played with the hands or arms, but players can legally strike or push (short contact) the ball with any part of the body.

Other sports

There are numerous sports that are played frequently and are in demand in terms of popularity and appeal. These include cricket, lacrosse, rugby, fishing, horse racing, and water polo, among others.

Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is an attitude that strives for fair play, courtesy toward teammates and opponents, ethical behavior and integrity, and grace in losing.[5]

Sportsmanship expresses an aspiration or ethos that the activity will be enjoyed for its own sake. The well-known sentiment by sports journalist Grantland Rice, that it is “not that you won or lost but how you played the game," and the Modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder Pierre de Coubertin: "The most important thing … is not winning but taking part" are typical expressions of this sentiment.

But often the pressures of competition or an obsession with individual achievement—as well as the intrusion of technology—can all work against enjoyment and fair play by participants.

People responsible for leisure activities often seek recognition and respectability as sports by joining sports federations such as 5 IOC, or by forming their own regulatory body. In this way, sports evolve from leisure activity to more formal sports: Relatively recent newcomers are BMX cycling, snowboarding, and wrestling. Some of these activities have been popular but uncodified pursuits in various forms for different lengths of time. Indeed, the formal regulation of sport is a relatively modern and increasing development.

Sportsmanship, within any given game, is how each competitor acts before, during, and after the competition. The challenge of huge monetary rewards, as sport has become a big business, has made some impact on the notion of sportsmanship.

Still, each sport has its own definition of what counts as good sportsmanship, informal rules which are to be obeyed. Failure to do so usually results in criticism or even a fight. For example, in football it is considered sportsmanlike to kick the ball out of play to allow treatment for an injured player on the other side. Reciprocally, the other team is expected to return the ball from the throw-in. Ice hockey players traditionally don't take a shot after the whistle blows. Doing so could lead to retaliation.

Violence in sports involves crossing the line between fair competition and intentional aggressive violence. Athletes, coaches, fans, and parents sometimes unleash violent behavior on people or property, in misguided shows of loyalty, dominance, anger, or celebration. Rioting or hooliganism are common and ongoing problems at national and international sporting contests, particularly football matches

Modern sports have complex rules and are highly organized.

Politics

At times, sports and politics can have a large amount of influence on each other.

When apartheid was the official policy in South Africa, many athletes, particularly in rugby, adopted the conscientious approach that they should not appear in competitive sports there. Some feel this was an effective contribution to the eventual demolition of the policy of apartheid, others feel that it may have prolonged and reinforced its worst effects.[6]

The 1936 Summer Olympics, held in Berlin, was an illustration, perhaps best recognized in retrospect, of a political ideology using an event for propaganda purposes. The 1980 Olympics were boycotted by the United States in response to the Soviet invastion of Afghanistan. The Soviets retaliated, boycotting the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.

In modern sport motorization has appeared.

In the history of Ireland, Gaelic sports were connected with cultural nationalism. Until the mid twentieth century, a person could have been banned from playing Gaelic football, hurling, or other sports administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) if she/he played or supported soccer, or other games seen to be of British origin. Until recently the GAA continued to ban the playing of soccer and rugby at Gaelic venues. This ban is still enforced, but has been modified to allow football and rugby be played in Croke Park while Lansdowne Road is being redeveloped. Until recently, under Rule 21, the GAA also banned members of the British security forces and members of the RUC from playing Gaelic games, but the advent of the Good Friday Agreement, in 1998, led to the eventual removal of the ban.

Nationalism is often evident in the pursuit of sports, or in its reporting: People compete in national teams, or commentators and audiences can adopt a partisan view. Usually, the result is good, clean competition. However, on occasion, such tensions can lead to violent confrontation among players or spectators within and beyond the sporting venue (see Football War). These trends are seen by many as contrary to the fundamental ethos of sports being carried on for its own sake and for the enjoyment of its participants.

Physical art

Sports have many affinities with art. Ice skating and Tai chi, and Dancesport for example, are sports that bear similarities to artistic spectacles. Similarly, there are other activities that have elements of sport and art in their execution, such as artistic gymnastics, Bodybuilding, Parkour, performance art, Yoga, bossaball, dressage, culinary arts, etc. Perhaps the best example is Bull-fighting, which in Spain is reported in the arts pages of newspapers. The fact that art is so close to sports in some situations is probably related to the nature of sports. Sport, like art, has a utilitarian purpose, but is also pursued for its own sake, for beauty and enjoyment.

Art and sports have been clearly linked since the time of Ancient Greece, when gymnastics and calisthenics invoked admiration and aesthetic appreciation for the physical build, prowess and "arete" displayed by participants. The modern term "art" as skill, is related to this ancient Greek term arete, which roughly translates as excellence. The closeness of art and sport in these times was revealed by the nature of the Olympic Games which, as we have seen, were celebrations of both sporting and artistic achievements, poetry, sculpture, and architecture.

Spectator sport

As well as being a form of recreation for the participants, much sport is played in front of an audience. Most professional sport is played in a 'theater' of some kind–a stadium, arena, golf course, race track, or the open road, with provision for the (often paying) public.

Large television or radio audiences are also commonly attracted, with rival broadcasters bidding large amounts of money for the 'rights' to show certain fixtures. The football World Cup attracts a global television audience of hundreds of millions; the 2006 Final alone attracted an estimated worldwide audience of well over 700 million. In the United States, the championship game of the NFL, the Super Bowl, has become one of the most watched television broadcasts of the year. Super Bowl Sunday is a "de facto" national holiday; the viewership is so great that in 2007 advertising space was reported as being sold at $2.6m for a 30 second slot.

The impact of sports: The unification factor

Sports in general are a medium through which many experience stress relief, and furthermore, a way through which a conglomeration of cultures can become unified. "Sports affect politics, fuel our economy, and shape our culture. The American Dream is personified in our champions, in the records they set and the barriers they break. The dynamic interaction of athletes, fans, and the media produces inexplicable loyalties, lasting legends, and revered heroes. The greatest champions stand for more than the records they break. They stand for the barriers they shatter—physical, social, psychological, racial, cultural—and change the way we think about our world."[7]

Breaking barriers and records

Boxing: America's first national sports celebrity: John L. Sullivan

"John L. Sullivan fought his way to the heavyweight championship and charmed his way to truly national celebrity. The bare-knuckle prizefighter personified the masculine, aggressive spirit of the era, and the fans who loved him vastly outnumbered his detractors. Though boxing was illegal in most states, the press-savvy Sullivan won fans from every walk of life, including the president of the United States. At the high point of his career, Sullivan's supporters bought him a diamond-encrusted belt which was presented to him by the mayor of Boston. "The Great John L." lost only one of his nearly 50 career fights, falling to James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett in 1892."[7]

Swimming: Gertrude Ederle

  • Gertrude Ederle was the first woman to swim the English Channel.
  • Born: New York City, New York, 1906–2003
  • Gold Medalist, 400-meter freestyle relay, Paris Olympics, 1924
  • Bronze Medalist, 100- and 400-meter freestyle, Paris Olympics, 1924
  • 29 U.S. and world swimming records
  • Taught deaf children to swim after water damaged her own hearing[7]

Breaking the color barrier: Jackie Robinson

  • Name: Jackie Roosevelt Robinson
  • Born: Cairo, Georgia, 1919–1972
  • First African American to play Major League Baseball, 1947
  • First African American inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame, 1962
  • 6 National League pennants, 1 World Series win
  • Stole home 19 times
  • Retired with .311 batting average, 1956
  • Rookie of the Year, 1947
  • Lifetime civil rights activist[7]

Gibson's Wimbledon

  • Name: Althea Gibson
  • Born: Silver, South Carolina, 1927–2003
  • First African American to play in U.S. Nationals, 1950, and at Wimbledon, 1951
  • First African American to win French Open Singles Championship, 1956
  • U.S. National Singles Champion, 1957, 1958
  • Wimbledon Singles Champion, 1957, 1958
  • Actress and singer
  • Civil rights activist[7]

The mile run

  • Name: Roger Gilbert Bannister
  • Born: Harrow, Middlesex, England, 1929–
  • First to break the four-minute mile (3:59.4), 1954
  • Chairman of Sports Council of Great Britain, 1971–1974
  • President of International Council for Sports and Recreation, 1976–1983
  • Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, 1975
  • Graduated from Oxford University Medical School, became neurologist
  • Editor of numerous medical books and journals [7]

See also

Notes

  1. Chinese Culture, Sports History in China. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  2. IOA, Mr Ahmed D. Touny (EGY), IOC Member. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  3. Kuwait info, Persian warriors. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  4. The Olympics, Ancient Olympic Games. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  5. Merriam Webster, Sportsmanship. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  6. Blackwell Synergy, Sport and apartheid. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Sports Illustrated, Sports: Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers. Retrieved November 24, 2007.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Hickock, Ralph. The Encyclopedia of North American Sports History. New York: Facts on File, Copyright 1992. ISBN 9780816020966.
  • Mandel, Michael. The Meaning of Sports. PublicAffairs. ISBN 1-58648-252-1.
  • Menke, G. Frank. The Encyclopedia of Sports. South Brunswick: A.S. Barnes, 1975. ISBN 9780498014406.

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