As a discipline, sports are a group of activities that are performed under defined and controlled circumstances. They are standardized and governed by an organisational structure, which oversees the processes and results of the activities. These structures also add structure and formality to the field of sports. Usain Bolt, the world record holder in the 100 m race, is a notable example. Moreover, many sporting events are played for entertainment, and not for the sake of winning.
As a physical activity, sport involves physical exertion and intense competition. Involving physical exertion, sweating, and exhaustion, sports improve the physical fitness of the participants and help them develop social skills. Children learn how to play together and compete in a fair environment while building their self-esteem. There are many types of sports and countless ways to participate. So, what exactly is sport? Let’s explore a few examples.
Football, for instance, has millions of participants worldwide. People play it for fun, in five-a-side leagues, and for professional teams. A recent census by the FIFA estimated that over 265 million people play football in some way, including more than five million referees. That’s about 4% of the entire world’s population! But the popularity of football has not stopped there. There are many other sports that are equally popular.
Tennis has long been a popular sport amongst French people, and there are many rivalries among tennis players. In the 1980s, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors had a storied rivalry. In the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong and Jan Ullrich engaged in epic battles in the French mountains. In certain periods of history, swimming and boxing have become rival sports as well. The first to five points wins.