Sports are competitive activities in which individuals compete. These contests are governed by rules which ensure fair play. The purpose of sport is to improve the physical fitness of the participants. It also provides entertainment for spectators.
The concept of sport began in the 17th century in England. The first organized games were developed under the leadership of the Marylebone Cricket Club. During this time, athletes trained systematically to achieve their peak physical performance.
In the early 18th century, boxing emerged. This was a sport where a number of subjective and objective measures were used to determine the winners. The term “measure” originally connoted the sense of balance or proportion.
After World War II, volleyball became a globally popular sport. Several sports leagues choose an annual champion by holding regular season games and playoffs.
Sports also provide opportunities to develop skills in social interaction. Association football, for example, combines team and individual play to encourage physical fitness. Similarly, mountain climbing is a competition between climbers.
Today, there are hundreds of sports that involve a single person or team competing. Some sports allow ties or draws. Other competitions may have multiple winners.
Sport teaches the value of fair play and the consequences of actions. It also teaches the importance of developing a positive body language, analytical thinking, goal setting, and the value of risk taking.
Throughout the centuries, different cultures have defined sports differently. However, today’s emphasis is on quantified achievement.