What Are Sports?

Whether organised or casual, sports involve physical activity. In addition to improving one’s physical fitness, these activities can improve the mental wellbeing of its participants. They can form social relationships and produce competitive results. In other words, sports are fun. But what are they? How can they be considered sports? Read on to find out more. This article outlines some of the key characteristics of sports. But how can you define a sport? And how do you tell if it’s a sport?

The history of sport dates back to the Middle Ages. Several artifacts indicate that games had already been practiced in China around 2000 BC. Gymnastics, for example, was widely practiced in ancient China. In ancient Egypt, sports were also widely practiced. Pharaohs’ monuments indicate that wrestling and javelin throwing had emerged. In the ancient Persian world, games like the Zoorkhaneh martial art and jousting were also popular. The modern age has also given rise to motorised sports, such as football, tennis, soccer, and golf.

In colonial America, sports occupied a lot of attention. In England, hunting was a privilege for landowners. But in America, game was plentiful, and everyone – including slaves and servants – could participate. This made sports very socially neutral. In 1691, Sir Francis Nicholson organized competitions to decide which races were the best. The games involved owners, trainers, and spectators from different social classes and races.