Throughout history, humans have used sport as a way to bond with their fellow humans. For example, the invention of basketball and volleyball in the 1890s was a result of the perceived need for indoor games during the winter in the New England area. These games have since been adapted for various purposes, from entertainment to social interaction. And, as with most things, there are many traditions associated with sports. Here are some of these traditions. Read on to learn more about the origins of these games and their significance today.
While the aesthetic element remains in some sports, the modern emphasis on quantified achievement has largely replaced aesthetic values. The transition between Renaissance and modern sports can be viewed through a change in the meaning of the word “measure.” Previously, measure had connotations of proportion and balance. Later, it began to refer to quantitative measurements, such as distance. In this way, it was possible to define the role of a sportsperson or team, and create links to national identity.
While core and non-core countries compete on a given field of play, they typically lack the political, economic, and cultural resources to nurture their athletic talent. In some cases, they lose their best athletes to more powerful nations, which offer better training facilities, stiffer competition, and higher financial rewards. The global nature of sport has led to a “brawn drain” between athletes from poorer nations and more powerful countries. Western nations have responded to this phenomenon by recruiting sports scientists and athletes from the former Soviet bloc and Africa and South America.