The term “sport” has several meanings. For example, it may mean a sport that involves physical competition. It could also mean any activity that involves teamwork. A clear definition of a sport is necessary to understand the activity more fully. The word “sport” has a long history, spanning back to the 16th century.
Sports have long been associated with competition, especially between countries of different cultures and ethnicities. Some of the most successful athletes and teams come from countries that are poorer than others. While richer nations may have better training facilities and greater financial rewards, they are often unable to compete on the world stage. The result has been a “brawn drain,” where the best athletes from poorer countries leave their countries to pursue better opportunities in more powerful nations.
Modern sports developed in the late 17th century in England. In the Restoration period, Czech educator John Amos Comenius began to advocate physical education, and sports became more secular. During the 15th and 16th centuries, elites favored dances, which were geometric patterns of movement. Ballet was also developed in France and Italy during this time, with horseback riders being taught to perform elegant movements. The discipline of fencing was made an art form during this period, and northern Europeans imitated the French and Italian fencers.
In the early 20th century, the media began to play an increasingly important role in sports. Sports sections of the New York Times and other newspapers expanded dramatically. The New York Times began producing a sports section that was nearly a full page. The public appetite for sports news was so great that daily sports newspapers began to emerge in many countries. The Paris-based L’Equipe is a prime example of such a publication.