The Development of Sports

Sports

The term “sport” refers to any activity in which people compete in a physical contest. Different cultures have different definitions of what constitutes a sport. However, the most common definitions clarify the distinction between sports and play, or work. The former refers to activity with purpose and goals separate from those of sport, while the latter is a voluntary activity.

The popularity of sports has resulted in a burgeoning body of sports literature. There are many styles of sports writing, from the classic morning sports report to the more recent soft news and celebrity sports gossip. Journalists have become more interested in probing sports scandals and have made fans aware of off-field violence and official corruption.

Globalization has also affected the development of sports. The development of sports is part of the larger process of globalization, the evolution of a network of interdependencies. Throughout the 20th century, globalization ushered in transnational cosmopolitan cultures, a global economy, and a number of international social movements. In addition, modern technologies have made it possible to move people, money, and images further afield. The impact of these processes has affected the way in which sports are viewed and played.

The development of sports began in the late seventeenth century in England. The concept of keeping a record of sports began to emerge during the Restoration era, when Puritans condemned traditional pastimes and drove them underground. In the 18th century, the Marylebone Cricket Club, founded in 1787, led the way for organized games and rational competition.