Sport - Its Ability To Bring People Together

Sport has been around in some form or another for many years

. It was in Greece that sports were introduced formally, with the first Olympics being recorded in Olympia in 776BC. This event was celebrated in stadiums in Olympia until 393AD and began initially with a single sprinting event. As the Olympics expanded, more events were added such as chariot racing, wrestling, boxing, javelin and discus, along with several more footraces. More often than not, these events were performed in armour or in the nude.

Today we still see some of these sports in the current Olympics, though we have migrated from being in the nude to team colours, logos and flags.

There are many different types of sport, ranging from team sports and individual sports. Sports such a football, rugby, basketball and baseball all rely on a number of players to win the game, in comparison to golf and tennis where the outcome of the game is solely dependant on the single player.

Sport has a number of benefits, the first being that it has a positive influence on society and individuals. To succeed in a team a player has to interact with other members, therefore creating a social environment where new behaviours and attitudes are constantly being developed. It can also teach youngsters the ideals of teamwork and tolerance, which in turn strengthen values that can be carried over to other situations in a player's life.

Another social benefit of sport lies in that it creates an often jovial atmosphere and people attend for fun. Local sports, such as a pub pool team or tournament, allow for a competitive spirit amongst friends and provide the chance to meet new people therefore increasing social interaction.

The second clear advantage of sport is that is it physically beneficial for the participants. Through constant practice, training and playing actual games, players are kept at an optimum state of fitness. The goal of winning games also drives players to perform to the best of their abilities.

Sport seems to be a universal language - everyone is involved in it, whether they are taking part or simply supporting. It has the unquestionable ability to bring people together, no matter what their age, race, culture or gender. Support for teams or players can be decided by the individual, but is often moulded by the decision of parents, friends, heritage and sometimes age-old family tradition.

Its profound effect was especially demonstrated on Christmas day 1914. After months of fighting and killing, a game of football united two enemies, the Germans and the Allies, in a truce. Sport breaks language barriers and brings out amity in people. For one day, sport was able to bring enemies together, creating something positive and uniting conflicting parties, even in the middle of a war.

by: Jon Lane

POST COMMENT

California's Outstanding Tourist Steps In Relation To Vacation Hotel Features Transportation And Par JB Transport and the Process of Change Competition, whether in sports or in life, we all compete, but what is acceptable? 2010 California's Excellent Adventurer Advices On Vacation Expensive Hotels Transportation And Sight California City's Incredible Travel Ideas In Relation To Vacation Cheap Hotels, Transportation And P Watch Friday Night Lights and enjoy sports drama at its best From Simply Casual To Ultra Sporty, Vans Shoes Has You Covered California City's Out Of The Box Voyager Information About Vacation Luxury Hotels, Transportation An Pros and Cons of Choosing Professional Sport as a Profession The Sport Fishing Capital of the World 2010 California's Cool Explorer Ideas Regarding Vacation Deals, Transportation And Plazas To Spend O Jumping Stilts - The Next Fascinating Extreme Sport? 2010 California's Excellent Traveller Guides About Vacation Luxury Hotels, Transportation And Museum