The History of Sports
If you have ever seen a TV show, you’ve probably watched sports. Whether or not it’s actually a sport is a matter of opinion, but we’re going to assume that it’s a sport if the athletes play and win. And if they lose, they don’t care. The game is still fun. It’s just not as serious as the TV show, which means it’s more fun for viewers.
The history of sports goes back to more than three thousand years. Artifacts and monuments indicate that sport was practiced in China as far back as 2000 BC. Ancient Egyptians were avid competitors and were known for high jumping and wrestling. Similarly, in ancient Persia, there were games such as the Zoorkhaneh martial art and jousting. Today, motorised sports have become popular. But what makes them interesting?
Many forms of sport have their origins in ancient cultures. For example, artifacts suggest that sports were practiced in ancient China around 2000 BC. Among other early cultures, gymnastics may have been practiced. In ancient Egypt, sports were also highly developed, with high jump and javelin throwing, among others. In ancient Persia, there were games such as jousting, wrestling and Zoorkhaneh martial art. In the modern era, motorised sports have been introduced.
While most types of sport are purely competitive, some are more spiritual than others. The ancient Greeks practiced the sport of juggling. The Romans had their own rites for performing a feat, while the Turks used it to celebrate the circumcision of their son Murad III. In India, wrestlers commit themselves to a holy life. They perform pushups, recite mantras and perform other rituals related to religion and their bodies.