The dictionary definition of sport, according to Oxford Languages is ‘an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.’
Sports have enthralled and entertained human cultures for millennia. They teach us values, keep us active, keep our minds engaged, help us compete in a friendly manner, and tie us to one another.
Placing wagers on the outcome of a horse race, or foot race, the score of a football match or tennis tournament has probably been around as long as the sports themselves. With those unable or unwilling to partake, still able to be entertained by risking real money.
Betting establishments and vendors that flourished in ancient times, have been updated by mobile and online based platforms. Offering odds, statistics, in-game news and the ability to bet from your home has sites like betway mobile charging ahead with its sportsbook.
Read on, to learn about the history of sports, from ancient Rome to modern leagues.
Ancient Beginnings
The Ancient Greeks were among the first to develop organized sports, representing their social values through the Olympic Games, first held in 776 BCE in Olympia. The games and sports in general allowed the Greeks to showcase the ideal physical form, through events such as running, wrestling, and chariot racing. The games held religious significance as well, dedicated to Zeus the king of the Greek gods.
Competitive sport in Ancient Rome moved from honoring the gods and physical excellence to creating spectacle and entertainment. Chariot races, animal hunts, and gladiatorial combat represented the sport and mood of the era, with the largest events held in grand arenas like the Colosseum. Ancient Romans wanted the sports of the time, to showcase their power and control, rather than celebrating athletic ability and finesse.
Medieval And Renaissance Sports
Sport changed again, after the fall of the Roman Empire, with medieval Europeans placing great value in martial training and chivalry. Physical activities turned to tournaments, featuring jousting and archery, as well as sword fighting. Sporting events were social occasions, where knights could impress with martial skill and valor.
Physical fitness in sports was revived during the Renaissance period, with structured and formalized sports emerging. Today’s sport of football originated from that time, being based on the Italian game of Calcio Storico. Sports were codified during the 19th century, leading to leagues and an interest in sports statistics.
The Birth Of Modern Sports in Europe
Standardization in sports, during the 19th century, helped to spread a sport’s popularity and allowed for competition between towns and regions. It also helped to separate sports that at first seemed very similar, the creation of the Football Association in England, in 1863 differentiated rugby football from football (soccer).
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) had a similar effect on the game of cricket, formalizing the rules and helping the game to expand. The British Empire carried these new rules with them, bringing the game of cricket to a global audience.
International governing bodies began to form in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to provide an overview of newly developed rules and sporting codes.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was established in 1894, with the modern Olympic Games revived in Athens in 1896, featuring athletics, cycling, fencing, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.
The Globalization Of Sports
Equipped with formalized rules and governing bodies, 20th-century sports saw their target audience expand overseas, with increased international competition. Media coverage of sporting events, especially filmed coverage, helped to draw new viewers. With digital media and the internet, connecting audiences to live sporting events quicker and more effortlessly than ever before. This coverage brought about the creation of a sports culture among fans.
Sporting leagues emerged in several countries, European football competitions like the English Premier League and Spanish La Liga further cemented the game as a fan favorite. American fans witnessed the creation of sporting leagues in popular pastimes, such as the National Football League (NFL), The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB).
What Sports Are Like Today
Sports today have focused more on inclusivity and diversity, as evidenced through sporting events such as the Paralympic Games.
Women and women’s leagues are being featured more heavily in the news, adding to the growing popularity and following.
Major sporting leagues have spread across almost all countries, with games as unique as baseball being played professionally in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Despite the inclusivity and camaraderie, sports have been facing several challenges. Corruption, doping, and the commercialization of sports have impacted competitive integrity, increasing the pressure on athletes.
Fans have become overwhelmed by features designed to aid viewership, high-resolution images, live replays, and close-up angles, coupled with increased data and analysis have added more detail than necessary.
To Sum Things Up
Sports seem to evolve alongside human society, showcasing what people of the time wish to participate in. Newer technology has sped the process of expansion and consumption up significantly, the hope is that the underlying values of sports are not lost. Competition, international unity, achieving excellence through training and the pursuit of athletic perfection will always be a part of sport.
No matter what sport means to you, which one you play or what team you support, the essence and drive of competition is in all of us, so don’t be shy to participate.