:en:Sport

The word "sport" comes from the Old French {{Lang|fro|desport}} meaning "leisure", with the oldest definition in English from around 1300 being "anything humans find amusing or entertaining".{{cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=sport&searchmode=none |title=sport (n.) |access-date=20 April 2008 |first=Douglas |last=Harper |work=Online Etymological Dictionary |archive-date=11 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111214311/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=sport&searchmode=none |url-status=live }}

Other meanings include gambling and events staged for the purpose of gambling; hunting; and games and diversions, including ones that require exercise.{{cite book |title=Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged |publisher=G&C Merriam Company |location=Springfield, MA |page=2206 |year=1967}} Roget's defines the noun sport as an "activity engaged in for relaxation and amusement" with synonyms including diversion and recreation.{{cite book |title=Roget's II: The New Thesaurus|edition =3rd|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |url=https://archive.org/details/rogetsiiinewthes00houg |year=1995 |isbn=978-0-618-25414-9 |url-access=registration }}

The singular term "sport" is used in most English dialects to describe the overall concept, e.g. "children taking part in sport", with "sports" used to describe multiple activities, e.g. "football and rugby are the most popular sports in England". American English uses "sports" for both senses.{{cite web |title=Sport vs sports – Usage Notes |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/sport-s-sports |publisher=Cambridge University Press |accessdate=2025-05-02}}{{cite web |title=Sport |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sport |publisher=Merriam-Webster |accessdate=2025-05-02}}

{{see also|Game#Definitions}}

File:ChessStartingPosition.jpg recognises some board games as sports, including chess.]]

File:Showjumping white horse.jpg, an equestrian sport]]

The precise definition of what differentiates a sport from other leisure activities varies between sources. The closest to an international agreement on a definition is provided by the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), which is the association for all the largest international sports federations (including association football, athletics, cycling, tennis, equestrian sports, and more), and is therefore the de facto representative of international sport.

GAISF uses the following criteria, determining that a sport should:

• have an element of competition
• be in no way harmful to any living creature
• not rely on equipment provided by a single supplier (excluding proprietary games such as arena football)
• not rely on any "luck" element specifically designed into the sport.

They also recognise that sport can be primarily physical (such as rugby or athletics), primarily mind (such as chess or Go), predominantly motorised (such as Formula 1 or powerboating), primarily co-ordination and dexterity (such as snooker and other cue sports), or primarily animal-supported (such as equestrian sport).

The inclusion of mind sports within sport definitions has not been universally accepted, leading to legal challenges from governing bodies in regards to being denied funding available to sports.{{cite news |work=BBC News |title=Judicial review of 'sport' or 'game' decision begins |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34320201 |date=22 September 2015 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=23 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023020304/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34320201 |url-status=live }} Whilst GAISF recognises a small number of mind sports, it is not open to admitting any further mind sports.

There has been an increase in the application of the term "sport" to a wider set of non-physical challenges such as video games, also called esports (from "electronic sports"), especially due to the large scale of participation and organised competition, but these are not widely recognised by mainstream sports organisations. According to Council of Europe, European Sports Charter, article 2.i, {{"'}}Sport' means all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels."Council of Europe, [https://search.coe.int/cm/Pages/result_details.aspx?ObjectID=09000016804c9dbb Revised European Sports Charter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426204635/https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?id=206451 |date=26 April 2012 }} (2001)

File:Horse-racing-4.jpg

There are opposing views on the necessity of competition as a defining element of a sport, with almost all professional sports involving competition, and governing bodies requiring competition as a prerequisite of recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or GAISF.

Other bodies advocate widening the definition of sport to include all forms of physical activity, not only organised or competitive events. For instance, the Council of Europe’s Sports Charter defines “sport” as: “all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, are aimed at maintaining or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, forming social relationships or obtaining results in competition at all levels,” explicitly encompassing recreational exercise undertaken purely for fun.{{cite web |title=Revised European Sports Charter – Article 2 |url=https://rm.coe.int/revised-european-sports-charter-web-a6/1680a7534b |publisher=Council of Europe |accessdate=2025-05-02}}{{cite web |title=Sport definition – European Sports Charter (1998) |url=https://ec.europa.eu/assets/eac/sport/library/documents/doc252_en.pdf |publisher=European Commission |accessdate=2025-05-02}}

To widen participation, and reduce the impact of losing on less able participants, there has been an introduction of non-competitive physical activity to traditionally competitive events such as school sports days, although moves like this can be controversial.{{cite news |last=Front |first=Rebecca |work=The Guardian |title=A little competition |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/17/school-sport-competitive-children-achievement-ambition |date=17 July 2011 |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=15 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315143528/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/17/school-sport-competitive-children-achievement-ambition |url-status=live }}{{cite news |publisher=ParentDish |title=Why parents hate school sports day |last=Scrimgeour |first=Heidi |date=17 June 2011 |url=http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/06/17/why-parents-hate-school-sports-day/ |access-date=11 June 2012 |archive-date=24 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024182750/http://www.parentdish.co.uk/2011/06/17/why-parents-hate-school-sports-day/ |url-status=live }}

In competitive events, participants are graded or classified based on their "result" and often divided into groups of comparable performance, e.g. gender, weight and age. The measurement of the result may be objective or subjective, and corrected with "handicaps" or penalties. In a race, for example, the time to complete the course is an objective measurement. In gymnastics or diving the result is decided by judges, and therefore subjective. There are shades of judging between boxing and mixed martial arts, where if neither competitor secures a victory before the time limit, the outcome is determined by judges’ scorecards. In boxing, three judges independently score each round, based on criteria such as clean punching, effective aggression, ring generalship and defense.{{cite web |title=ABC Uniform Championship Rules |url=https://www.ibf-usba-boxing.com/wp-content/uploads/ABCUniformChampionshipRules.pdf |publisher=Association of Boxing Commissions |accessdate=2025-05-02}}

{{Main article|History of sport}}

File:Roman bronze copy of Myron’s Discobolos, 2nd century CE (Glyptothek Munich).jpg bronze reduction of Myron's Discobolos, 2nd century AD]]

File:Participants with the Water Warrior class perform squats prior to entering the pool at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, July 6, 2011 110706-M-VD776-004 (cropped).jpg as warm-up exercise prior to entering the pool in a U.S. military base, 2011.]]

Artifacts and structures suggest sport in China as early as 2000 BC.{{cite web |url=http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa032301a.htm |title=Sports History in China |author1=Ye Qinfa |access-date=15 October 2006 |archive-date=3 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303183246/http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa032301a.htm |url-status=deviated }} Gymnastics appears to have been popular in China's ancient past. Monuments to the Pharaohs indicate that a number of sports, including swimming and fishing, were well-developed and regulated several thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt.{{cite web |url=http://www.ioa.leeds.ac.uk/1980s/84085.htm |title=84.85-90 History of Sports in Ancient Egypt |first1=Ahmed D. |last1=Touny |website=Proceedings of the International Olympic Academy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029232515/http://www.ioa.leeds.ac.uk/1980s/84085.htm |archive-date=29 October 2006 }} Other Egyptian sports included javelin throwing, high jump, and wrestling. Ancient Persian sports such as the traditional Iranian martial art of Zoorkhaneh had a close connection to warfare skills.{{cite web |url=http://www.kuwait-info.com/newsnew/NewsDetails1.asp?id=78319&dt=10/13/2006&ntype=World |title=Ancient sport still flexing its muscles in Iran |website=kuwait-info.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326081959/http://www.kuwait-info.com/newsnew/NewsDetails1.asp?id=78319&dt=10%2F13%2F2006&ntype=World |archive-date=26 March 2007 }} Among other sports that originated in ancient Persia are polo and jousting. Various traditional games of India such as Kho kho and Kabbadi have been played for thousands of years. The kabaddi was played potentially as a preparation for hunting.{{Cite web |title=kabaddi {{!}} sport |url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/kabaddi |access-date=21 November 2022 |website=Britannica |language=en}}

File:Bruno Senna 2006 Australian Grand Prix.jpg have appeared since the advent of the modern age.]]

A wide range of sports were already established by the time of Ancient Greece and the military culture and the development of sport in Greece influenced one another considerably. Sport became such a prominent part of their culture that the Greeks created the Olympic Games, which in ancient times were held every four years in a small village in the Peloponnesus called Olympia.{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/ancient/index_uk.asp|title=Ancient Olympic Games|date=30 July 2018|access-date=15 October 2006|archive-date=28 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928011744/http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/ancient/index_uk.asp|url-status=live}}

Sports have been increasingly organised and regulated from the time of the ancient Olympics up to the present century. Industrialisation has brought motorised transportation and increased leisure time, letting people attend and follow spectator sports and participate in athletic activities. These trends continued with the advent of mass media and global communication. Professionalism became prevalent, further adding to the increase in sport's popularity, as sports fans followed the exploits of professional athletes – all while enjoying the exercise and competition associated with amateur participation in sports. Since the turn of the 21st century, there has been increasing debate about whether transgender sports people should be able to participate in sport events that conform with their post-transition gender identity.Sport and the Law: Historical and Cultural Intersections, p. 111, Sarah K. Fields (2014){{ISBN?}}|

{{Main article|Sportsmanship}}

{{See also|Gamesmanship|Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing}}

Sportsmanship is an attitude that strives for fair play, courtesy toward teammates and opponents, ethical behaviour and integrity, and grace in victory or defeat.{{cite web |url=http://www.merriam.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=sportsmanship |publisher=Merriam-Webster |title=Sportsmanship |access-date=15 October 2006 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928231236/http://www.merriam.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=sportsmanship |url-status=live }}{{cite book |last1=Fish |first1=Joel |last2=Magee |first2=Susan |year=2003 |title=101 Ways to Be a Terrific Sports Parent |publisher=Fireside |page=168}}{{cite news |last=Lacey |first=David |date=10 November 2007 |url=http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/11/10/it_takes_a_bad_loser_to_become.html |title=It takes a bad loser to become a good winner |work=The Guardian |access-date=28 October 2009 |archive-date=13 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080113021424/http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/11/10/it_takes_a_bad_loser_to_become.html |url-status=live }}

Sportsmanship expresses an aspiration or ethos that the activity will be enjoyed for its own sake. The well-known sentiment by sports journalist Grantland Rice, that it is “it’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game,”{{cite web |title=Rice, Grantland |url=https://tshf.net/halloffame/rice-grantland/ |publisher=Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame |accessdate=2025-05-02}} and the modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder Pierre de Coubertin: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part,” are typical expressions of this sentiment.{{cite web |title=Fundamentals of Olympic Values Education |publisher=International Olympic Committee |url=https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/Documents/Document-Set-Teachers-The-Main-Olympic-Topics/Olympism-and-the-Olympic-Movement.pdf |accessdate=2025-05-02}}

{{see also|Match fixing|cheating}}

Key principles of sport include that the result should not be predetermined, and all participants must have an equal opportunity to win.{{cite web|title=European Sports Charter, Article 3|url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/sport/european-sports-charter|publisher=Council of Europe|accessdate=2025-05-02}} Rules and regulations are established by governing bodies to ensure fair play and integrity.{{cite web|title=International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport, Article 10|url=http://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000235409|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=2025-05-02}} However, participants sometimes breach these rules to gain an unfair advantage.{{cite web|title=Fair play and the competitive spirit|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000093013|publisher=UNESCO|accessdate=2025-05-02}}

Participants may cheat to increase their chances of winning, secure financial gain or other benefit.{{cite web|title=Global Report on Corruption in Sport|url=https://www.unodc.org/documents/corruption/Publications/2022/Global_Report_on_Corruption_in_Sport_Full_report.pdf|publisher=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime|accessdate=2025-05-02}} The prevalence of gambling on sporting outcomes creates incentives for match fixing, in which one or more participants collude to predetermine results rather than compete honestly.{{cite web|title=Staying on Side: How to Stop Match-Fixing|url=https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/2014_Stop_MatchFixing_EN.pdf|publisher=Transparency International|accessdate=2025-05-02}}

{{main article|Use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport}}

The competitive nature of sport encourages some participants to attempt to enhance their performance through medicines, or other means such as increasing the volume of blood in their bodies through artificial means.{{cite journal |last1=Baron |first1=David A. |last2=Martin |first2=David M. |last3=Abol Magd |first3=Samir |title=Doping in sports and its spread to at-risk populations: an international review |journal=World Psychiatry |year=2007 |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=118–123 |pmid=18235871|pmc=2219897 }}

All sports recognised by the IOC, or SportAccord, are required to implement a testing programme, looking for a list of banned drugs, with suspensions or bans being placed on participants who test positive for banned substances.{{cite web |title=Prohibited List |url=https://www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list |publisher=World Anti-Doping Agency |accessdate=2025-05-02}}{{cite web |title=World Anti-Doping Code |url=https://www.wada-ama.org/en/what-we-do/world-anti-doping-code |publisher=World Anti-Doping Agency |accessdate=2025-05-02}}

Violence in sports involves crossing the line between fair competition and intentional aggressive violence. Athletes, coaches, fans, and parents sometimes unleash violent behaviour on people or property, in misguided shows of loyalty, dominance, anger, or celebration. Rioting or hooliganism by fans in particular is a problem at some national and international sporting contests.{{cite journal |last=Russell |first=Gareth |title=Sport riots: A social–psychological review |journal=Aggression and Violent Behavior |year=2004 |volume=9 |issue=5 |pages=353–378|doi=10.1016/S1359-1789(03)00031-4 }}{{cite web |title=Guide on the Security of Major Sporting Events |url=https://www.un.org/counterterrorism/sites/www.un.org.counterterrorism/files/211006_guide_on_security_major_sporting_events_web.pdf |publisher=United Nations |accessdate=2025-05-02}}

{{see also|Women's sports}}

File:100 metres race winner Sina Schielke (192) and the other Runners - ISTAF 2006 - Berlin, 3 September.jpg, 2006]]

Female participation in sports has risen alongside expanded opportunities and growing recognition of the benefits of athletic activity for child development and physical fitness.{{cite journal |last1=Eime |first1=Rochelle M. |last2=Young |first2=Janet A. |last3=Harvey |first3=Jack T. |last4=Charity |first4=Melanie J. |last5=Payne |first5=Warren R. |title=A systematic review of the psychological and social benefits of participation in sport for children and adolescents |journal=International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |year=2013 |volume=10 |issue=98 |page=98 |doi=10.1186/1479-5868-10-98|doi-access=free |pmid=23945179 |pmc=3751802 }} Despite these gains, a gender gap persists. At Olympic level, women accounted for 49% at Tokyo 2020,{{cite news |title=Paris 2024 should see gender parity – WSF study |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/paris-2024-should-see-gender-parity-wsf-study-2022-04-21/ |publisher=Reuters |date=2022-04-21 |accessdate=2025-05-02}} reaching full 50 % parity at Paris 2024.{{cite news |last=Reid |first=Helen |title=Women athletes say the work isn't over after Olympics gender parity |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/women-athletes-say-work-isnt-over-after-olympics-gender-parity-2024-07-28/ |publisher=Reuters |date=2024-07-28 |accessdate=2025-05-02}} But global surveys report only 20% of women versus 31% of men participate in sporting activity monthly,{{cite web |last=Shah |first=Kineree |title=The great divide – exploring the gender gap in sports viewership |url=https://business.yougov.com/content/46311-the-great-divide-exploring-gender-gap-in-sports-viewership |publisher=YouGov |date=2023-03-10 |accessdate=2025-05-02}} and the World Health Organization notes women are 5 percentage points less likely than men to meet recommended activity guidelines.{{cite web |title=Physical activity fact sheet |url=https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity |publisher=World Health Organization |accessdate=2025-05-02}}

Certain sports are mixed-sex, allowing, or even requiring, men and women to play on the same team. One example of this is Baseball5, which is the first mixed-gender sport to be admitted to the Olympics.{{Cite web |title=Debut of Baseball5 at Youth Olympic Games postponed as next YOG shifted from 2022 to 2026 |url=http://www.wbsc.org/en/news/debut-of-baseball5-at-youth-olympic-games-postponed-as-next-yog-shifted-from-2022-to-2026 |access-date=21 November 2022 |website=World Baseball Softball Confederation |language=en}}

{{See also|College sports}}

Youth sport presents children with opportunities for fun, socialisation, forming peer relationships, physical fitness, and athletic scholarships. Activists for education and the war on drugs encourage youth sport as a means to increase educational participation and to fight the illegal drug trade. According to the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, the biggest risk for youth sport is death or serious injury including concussion. These risks come from running, basketball, association football, volleyball, gridiron, gymnastics, and ice hockey.[https://healthland.time.com/2009/08/04/why-are-more-kids-getting-hurt-in-gym-class/ "Gym class injuries up 150% between 1997 and 2007"], Time, 4 August 2009 Youth sport in the US is a $15 billion industry including equipment up to private coaching.{{cite magazine |last1=Gregory |first1=Sean |title=How Kids' Sports Became a $15 Billion Industry |url=https://time.com/4913687/how-kids-sports-became-15-billion-industry/ |access-date=24 August 2017 |magazine=Time |date=24 August 2017 |archive-date=24 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824112734/http://time.com/4913687/how-kids-sports-became-15-billion-industry/ |url-status=live }}

{{see also|Parasports|Paralympic Games}}

File:David Bizet - Marathon de Paris 2014.jpg in 2014.]]

Disabled or adaptive sports are played by people with a disability, including physical and intellectual disabilities.{{cite web |title=Para Sport |url=https://www.paralympic.org/paralympic-sport |publisher=International Paralympic Committee |accessdate=2025-05-02}} As many of these are based on existing sports modified to meet the needs of people with a disability, they are sometimes referred to as adapted sports.{{cite journal |last1=Misener |first1=Laura |last2=Kissack |first2=Travis |title=Social inclusion through sport: Community coaching and participation of people with disabilities in sport |journal=Sport Management Review |year=2010 |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=49–67 |doi=10.1016/j.smr.2009.10.001}} However, not all disabled sports are adapted; several that have been specifically created for people with a disability have no equivalent in able-bodied sports, such as goalball and boccia.{{cite web |title=Sitting Volleyball, Goalball and Boccia |url=https://www.paralympic.org/sports |publisher=International Paralympic Committee |accessdate=2025-05-02}}

{{see also|Masters athletics|Masters cycling|Masters swimming}}

Masters sport, senior sport, or veteran sport is an age category of sport, that usually contains age groups of those 35 and older.{{cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/veterans-and-masters-sport|title=Story: Veterans and masters sport|publisher=govt.nz|access-date=28 March 2020}} It may concern unaltered or adapted sport activities, with and without competitions.

Competitions

• World Masters Games organized since 1985 every four years.
• European Masters Games organized for the first time in 2008 and then since 2011 every four years.
• Senior Olympics (Senior Games)
• USATF Masters Outdoor Championships began 1968
• USATF Masters Indoor Championships began 1975
• World Masters Athletics Championships began 1975

{{Main article|Spectator sport}}

File:1906 Athens stadium.jpg

The competition element of sport, along with the aesthetic appeal of some disciplines, has resulted in the phenomenon of spectator sport. Amateur and professional sports attract audiences in person at venues and via broadcast media—radio, television and internet streaming—each of which may levy fees such as entrance tickets or pay-per-view subscriptions.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Spectator sport |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online |url=https://www.britannica.com/sports/spectator-sport |accessdate=2025-05-02}} Sports leagues and tournaments provide the primary organisational frameworks for regular competition among teams or individual athletes.{{cite book |last=Fort |first=Rogelio |title=Sports Economics |publisher=Prentice Hall |year=2015 |isbn=978-0133452485}}

High-profile events command vast audiences, driving lucrative media-rights deals. The 2006 FIFA World Cup final drew over 700 million viewers worldwide,{{cite web |title=2006 FIFA World Cup™ Media Report |url=http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/organisation/media/media-reports.html |publisher=FIFA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101000000/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/germany2006/organisation/media/media-reports.html |accessdate=2025-05-02|archive-date=1 January 2012 }} and the 2011 Cricket World Cup final was watched by approximately 135 million viewers in India alone.{{cite news |title=135 mn saw World Cup final: TAM |date=10 April 2011 |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/135-mn-saw-World-Cup-final-TAM/Article1-683623.aspx |newspaper=Hindustan Times |access-date=2025-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130803013151/http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/135-mn-saw-World-Cup-final-TAM/Article1-683623.aspx |archive-date=2013-08-03}} In the US, the Super Bowl ranks as the most-watched annual television broadcast, with Super Bowl XLIX in 2015 averaging 114 million viewers.{{cite web |last=Nielsen |title=Super Bowl XLIX Sets U.S. Viewership Record |url=http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/news/2015/super-bowl-xlix-most-watched-telecast-in-u-s--history.html |publisher=Nielsen |date=2015-02-02 |accessdate=2025-05-02}} Super Bowl Sunday is considered an unofficial national holiday, and in 2015 a 30-second advertising spot sold for approximately US$4.5 million.{{cite web |title=Super Bowl Ads Cost US$4.5M for 30-Second Spot |url=https://adage.com/article/media/super-bowl-ads-cost-4-5m-30-spot/296163 |publisher=Ad Age |date=2015-01-30 |accessdate=2025-05-02}}

{{See also|Professional sport|Amateur sport}}

File:Volleyball-5 (9786053885).jpg

Sport can be undertaken on an amateur, professional or semi-professional basis, depending on whether participants are incentivised for participation (usually through payment of a wage or salary). Amateur participation in sport at lower levels is often called "grassroots sport".{{cite web |publisher=European Commission |title=The White Paper on Sport |url=http://ec.europa.eu/sport/white-paper/index_en.htm |access-date=11 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916202200/http://ec.europa.eu/sport/white-paper/index_en.htm |archive-date=16 September 2008}}

The popularity of spectator sport as a recreation for non-participants has led to sport becoming a major business in its own right, and this has incentivised a high paying professional sport culture, where high performing participants are rewarded with pay far in excess of average wages, which can run into millions of dollars.{{cite magazine |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/specials/fortunate50-2011/index.html |title=Fortunate 50 2011 |last=Freedman |first=Jonah |access-date=5 March 2012 |archive-date=29 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429050301/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/specials/fortunate50-2011/index.html |url-status=dead }}

Some sports, or individual competitions within a sport, retain a policy of allowing only amateur sport. The Olympic Games started with a principle of amateur competition with those who practised a sport professionally considered to have an unfair advantage over those who practised it merely as a hobby.{{cite book |last=Eassom |first=Simon |title=Critical Reflections on Olympic Ideology |year=1994 |location=Ontario |publisher=The Centre for Olympic Studies |pages=120–123 |isbn=978-0-7714-1697-2}} From 1971, Olympic athletes were allowed to receive compensation and sponsorship,{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/spot/olympic-athletes.html |title=Olympic Athletes |publisher=Info Please |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-date=16 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616042315/http://www.infoplease.com/spot/olympic-athletes.html |url-status=live }} and from 1986, the IOC decided to make all professional athletes eligible for the Olympics,{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/22/opinion/greene-olympics-amateurs/ |title=What changed the Olympics forever |publisher=CNN |date=23 July 2012 |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-date=15 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615122848/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/22/opinion/greene-olympics-amateurs/ |url-status=live }} with the exceptions of boxing,{{cite web |url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/13894/olympic-boxing-must-remain-amateur-despite-moves-to-turn-it-professional-states-warren- |title=Olympic boxing must remain amateur despite moves to turn it professional states Warren |publisher=Inside the Games |date=13 August 2011 |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-date=15 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615044539/http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/13894/olympic-boxing-must-remain-amateur-despite-moves-to-turn-it-professional-states-warren- |url-status=live }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njefAgAAQBAJ&q=only+amateur+boxers+at+olympics&pg=PA400 |title=Historical Dictionary of Boxing |last1=Grasso |first1=John |date=2013 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |access-date=13 June 2015 |isbn=978-0810878679 |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417060735/https://books.google.com/books?id=njefAgAAQBAJ&q=only+amateur+boxers+at+olympics&pg=PA400 |url-status=live }} and wrestling.{{cite web |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1529280-olympic-wrestling-is-important-for-pro-wrestlers-and-its-fans |title=Olympic Wrestling Is Important for Pro Wrestling and Its Fans |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=14 February 2013 |access-date=13 June 2015 |archive-date=16 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616155635/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1529280-olympic-wrestling-is-important-for-pro-wrestlers-and-its-fans |url-status=live }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2WYEAAAAMBAJ&q=only+amateur+wrestlers+at+olympics&pg=PA24 |title=Boys' Life |date=August 1988 |page=24 |access-date=13 June 2015 |publisher=Boy Scouts of America, Inc. |archive-date=17 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417073533/https://books.google.com/books?id=2WYEAAAAMBAJ&q=only+amateur+wrestlers+at+olympics&pg=PA24 |url-status=live }}

File:Third umpire lights at Melbourne Cricket Ground.JPG indicate the decision the third umpire makes following a review.]]

Technology plays an important part in modern sport. It is a necessary part of some sports (such as motorsport), and it is used in others to improve performance. Some sports also use it to allow off-field decision making.

Sports science is a widespread academic discipline, and can be applied to areas including athlete performance, such as the use of video analysis to fine-tune technique, or to equipment, such as improved running shoes or competitive swimwear. Sports engineering emerged as a discipline in 1998 with an increasing focus not just on materials design but also the use of technology in sport, from analytics and big data to wearable technology.{{cite web |title=Gaining Steam in Sports Technology |url=https://alum.mit.edu/pages/sliceofmit/2014/06/17/mit-steam-sports-technology/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150052/https://alum.mit.edu/pages/sliceofmit/2014/06/17/mit-steam-sports-technology/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2014 |website=Slice of MIT |access-date=3 January 2015 |ref=Slice of MIT}} In order to control the impact of technology on fair play, governing bodies frequently have specific rules that are set to control the impact of technical advantage between participants. For example, in 2010, full-body, non-textile swimsuits were banned by FINA, as they were enhancing swimmers' performances.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/swimming/8161867.stm |title=Hi-tech suits banned from January |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 July 2009 |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=8 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908051335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/swimming/8161867.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/full-body-swimsuit-now-banned-professional-swimmers/story?id=9437780 |first=Kristina |last=Wong |title=Full Body Swimsuit Now Banned for Professional Swimmers |work=ABC News |date=4 January 2010 |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=7 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607200059/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/full-body-swimsuit-now-banned-professional-swimmers/story?id=9437780 |url-status=live }}

The increase in technology has also allowed many decisions in sports matches to be taken, or reviewed, off-field, with another official using instant replays to make decisions. In some sports, players can now challenge decisions made by officials. In Association football, goal-line technology makes decisions on whether a ball has crossed the goal line or not.{{cite journal |last=FIFA |title=Testing Manual |journal=FIFA Quality Programme for Goal Line Technology |year=2012 |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifaqualityprogramme/goal-linetechnology/01/66/02/89/glt_testing_manual_2012.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030143223/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifaqualityprogramme/goal-linetechnology/01/66/02/89/glt%5Ftesting%5Fmanual%5F2012.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 October 2012}} The technology is not compulsory,{{cite web |title=IFAB makes three unanimous historic decisions |url=https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y=2012/m=7/news=ifab-makes-three-unanimous-historic-decisions-1660541.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507234418/http://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/news/y=2012/m=7/news=ifab-makes-three-unanimous-historic-decisions-1660541.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 May 2015 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=23 April 2015}} but was used in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil,{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=4/news=goal-line-technology-set-ahead-fifa-world-cup-2311481.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140511001351/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2014/m=4/news=goal-line-technology-set-ahead-fifa-world-cup-2311481.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 May 2014 |title=Goal-line technology set up ahead of FIFA World Cup |date=1 April 2014 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=9 June 2015}} and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada,{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/y=2015/m=3/news=hawk-eye-confirmed-as-goal-line-technology-provider-for-canada-2015-2580727.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331170115/http://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/news/y=2015/m=3/news=hawk-eye-confirmed-as-goal-line-technology-provider-for-canada-2015-2580727.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 March 2015 |title=Hawk-Eye confirmed as goal-line technology provider for Canada 2015 |date=31 March 2015 |publisher=FIFA |access-date=2 June 2015}} as well as in the Premier League from 2013–14,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22107409 |title=Goal-line technology: Premier League votes in favour for 2013–14 |publisher=BBC |date=11 April 2013 |access-date=11 April 2013 |archive-date=11 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411143514/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22107409 |url-status=live }} and the Bundesliga from 2015–16.{{cite web |url=http://www.carlyleobserver.com/sports/bundesliga-approves-hawk-eye-goal-line-technology-for-new-season-1.1650074 |title=Bundesliga approves Hawk-Eye goal-line technology for new season |work=Carlyle Observer |access-date=9 June 2015 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029003339/https://www.carlyleobserver.com/sports/bundesliga-approves-hawk-eye-goal-line-technology-for-new-season-1.1650074 |url-status=live }} In the NFL, a referee can ask for a review from the replay booth, or a head coach can issue a challenge to review the play using replays. The final decision rests with the referee.{{cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-approves-rule-to-change-replay-process-0ap2000000336662 |title=NFL approves rule to change replay process |publisher=Business Insider |date=20 July 2011 |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608173617/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000336662/article/nfl-approves-rule-to-change-replay-process |url-status=live }} A video referee (commonly known as a Television Match Official or TMO) can also use replays to help decision-making in rugby (both league and union).{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyworld.com/news/blogs/television-match-official-when-can-they-rule-14818 |title=Television Match Official – when can they rule |publisher=Rugby World |date=20 August 2011 |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608222853/http://www.rugbyworld.com/news/blogs/television-match-official-when-can-they-rule-14818 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/9488451/New-rules-for-Television-Match-Officials-will-not-make-game-boring-to-watch-insist-rugby-chiefs.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/9488451/New-rules-for-Television-Match-Officials-will-not-make-game-boring-to-watch-insist-rugby-chiefs.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=New rules for Television Match Officials will not make game boring to watch, insist rugby chiefs |work=The Telegraph |date=20 August 2012 |access-date=8 June 2015|last1=Cleary |first1=Mick }}{{cbignore}} In international cricket, an umpire can ask the Third umpire for a decision, and the third umpire makes the final decision.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/rules_and_equipment/4183398.stm |title=The role of cricket umpires |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=8 June 2015 |date=26 August 2005 |archive-date=2 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302114814/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/rules_and_equipment/4183398.stm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.topendsports.com/sport/cricket/technology.htm |title=Cricket Technology |publisher=Top End Sports |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608175247/http://www.topendsports.com/sport/cricket/technology.htm |url-status=live }} Since 2008, a decision review system for players to review decisions has been introduced and used in ICC-run tournaments, and optionally in other matches.{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/controversial-drs-to-be-used-in-2015-icc-world-cup_1538054.html |title=Controversial DRS to be used in 2015 ICC World Cup |publisher=Zee News |date=29 January 2015 |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608222859/http://zeenews.india.com/sports/cricket/controversial-drs-to-be-used-in-2015-icc-world-cup_1538054.html |url-status=live }} Depending on the host broadcaster, a number of different technologies are used during an umpire or player review, including instant replays, Hawk-Eye, Hot Spot and Real Time Snickometer.{{cite web |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/827213.html |title=Hawkeye, Realtime Snicko for World Cup |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=7 February 2015 |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=10 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610075356/http://www.espncricinfo.com/icc-cricket-world-cup-2015/content/story/827213.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/icc-world-cup-3-top-reasons-why-did-not-use-hotspot-as-part-of-drs/20150213.htm |title=3 Top reasons why ICC did not use 'Hotspot' as part of DRS |newspaper=Rediff |publisher=Rediff cricket |date=13 February 2015 |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608195717/http://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/icc-world-cup-3-top-reasons-why-did-not-use-hotspot-as-part-of-drs/20150213.htm |url-status=live }} Hawk-Eye is also used in tennis to challenge umpiring decisions.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/hawkeye-makes-history-thanks-to-rare-british-success-story-at-wimbledon-454677.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110818091248/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/tennis/hawkeye-makes-history-thanks-to-rare-british-success-story-at-wimbledon-454677.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 August 2011 |title=Hawk-Eye makes history thanks to rare British success story at Wimbledon |work=The Independent |access-date=3 December 2010 |date=23 June 2007 |first=Paul |last=Newman |location=London}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7305404.stm |title=Hawk-Eye challenge rules unified |date=19 March 2008 |access-date=22 August 2008 |work=BBC News |archive-date=23 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323085536/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7305404.stm |url-status=live }}

Research suggests that sports have the capacity to connect youth to positive adult role models and provide positive development opportunities, as well as promote the learning and application of life skills.{{Cite journal |last1=Fraser-Thomas |first1=Jessica L. |last2=Côté |first2=Jean |last3=Deakin |first3=Janice |date=2005 |title=Youth sport programs: an avenue to foster positive youth development |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/43501126 |journal=Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy |language=en |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=19–40 |doi=10.1080/1740898042000334890 |hdl=1974/14425 |issn=1740-8989|hdl-access=free }}{{Cite book|last=UNESCO|url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000366771|title=Strengthening the rule of law through education: a guide for policymakers|publisher=UNESCO|year=2019|isbn=978-92-3-100308-0|access-date=9 March 2020|archive-date=25 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225195201/https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000366771|url-status=live}} In recent years the use of sport to reduce crime, as well as to prevent violent extremism and radicalization, has become more widespread, especially as a tool to improve self-esteem, enhance social bonds and provide participants with a feeling of purpose.

There is no high-quality evidence that shows the effectiveness of interventions to increase sports participation of the community in sports such as mass media campaigns, educational sessions, and policy changes.{{cite journal |last1=Priest |first1=N |last2=Armstrong |first2=R |last3=Doyle |first3=J |last4=Waters |first4=E |date=16 July 2008 |title=Interventions Implemented Through Sporting Organisations for Increasing Participation in Sport |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=3 |pages=CD004812 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004812.pub3 |pmid=18646112 |hdl-access=free |hdl=1885/285237|issn = 1464-780X }} There is also no high-quality studies that investigate the effect of such interventions in promoting healthy behaviour change in the community.{{cite journal |first1=Priest |last1=N |first2=Armstrong |last2=R |first3=Doyle |last3=J |first4=Water |last4=E |title=Policy Interventions Implemented Through Sporting Organisations for Promoting Healthy Behaviour Change |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |date=16 July 2008 |volume=2008 |issue=3 |pages=CD004809 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004809.pub3 |pmid=18646111 |pmc=6464902}}

{{Main article|Politics and sports}}

{{See also|Sportswashing}}

Benito Mussolini used the 1934 FIFA World Cup, held in Italy, to showcase Fascist Italy.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HWj7BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA28 |title=Soccer Vs. the State: Tackling Football and Radical Politics |last1=Kuhn |first1=Gabriel |date=2011 |page=28 |publisher=PM Press |access-date=8 June 2015 |isbn=978-1604860535 |archive-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216073648/https://books.google.com/books?id=HWj7BgAAQBAJ&pg=PA28 |url-status=live }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nvD2rZSVau4C&pg=PA630 |title=World Fascism: A Historical Encyclopedia, Volume 1 |last1=Blamires |first1=Cyprian |date=2006 |pages=630–632 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |access-date=8 June 2015 |isbn=978-1576079409 |archive-date=13 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213050912/https://books.google.com/books?id=nvD2rZSVau4C&pg=PA630 |url-status=live }} Adolf Hitler used the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, and the 1936 Winter Olympics held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, to promote the Nazi ideology of the superiority of the Aryan race, and inferiority of the Jews and other "undesirables".{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uKarC6oX3P8C&q=hitler+used+1936+olympics+to+promote+ideology&pg=PT32 |title=The Sociology of Sport and Physical Education |last1=Saxena |first1=Anurag |year=2001 |publisher=Pinnacle Technology |access-date=8 June 2015 |isbn=978-1618204684 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Germany used the Olympics to give off a peaceful image while secretly preparing for war.Kulttuurivihkot 1 2009 Berliinin olympialaiset 1936 Poliittisen viattomuuden menetys Jouko Jokisalo 28–29{{in lang|fi}}

When apartheid was official policy in South Africa, many sports people, particularly in rugby union, adopted the conscientious approach that they should not appear in competitive sports there. Some feel this was an effective contribution to the eventual end of apartheid, others feel it may have prolonged and reinforced its worst effects.{{cite journal |title=Sport and apartheid|journal=History Compass|volume=3|pages= **|doi=10.1111/j.1478-0542.2005.00165.x|year = 2005|last1 = Merrett|first1 = Christopher}}

In the history of Ireland, Gaelic sports were connected with cultural nationalism. Until the mid-20th century a person could have been banned from playing Gaelic football, hurling, or other sports administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) if she/he played or supported Association football, or other games seen to be of British origin. The GAA banned the playing of football and rugby union at Gaelic venues. This ban, also known as Rule 42,{{Cite journal |last1=Fulton |first1=Gareth |last2=Bairner |first2=Alan |year=2007 |title=Sport, Space and National Identity in Ireland: The GAA, Croke Park and Rule 42. |journal=Space & Polity |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=55–74 |doi=10.1080/13562570701406592 |s2cid=143213001 }} is still enforced, but was modified to allow football and rugby to be played in Croke Park while Lansdowne Road was redeveloped into Aviva Stadium. Under Rule 21, the GAA banned members of the British security forces and members of the RUC from playing Gaelic games, but the advent of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 led to removal of the ban.{{Cite web |title=50th anniversary of abolition of 'The Ban' offers pause for perspective |url=https://www.gaa.ie/news/50th-anniversary-of-abolition-of-the-ban-offers-pause-for-perspective/ |access-date=2 July 2023 |website=www.gaa.ie |date=9 April 2021 |language=en}}

Nationalism is often evident in the pursuit of sport or in its reporting: athletes compete in national teams, and commentators or audiences frequently adopt partisan perspectives.{{cite journal|last=Arnold|first=Richard|title=Nationalism and Sport: A Review of the Field|journal=Nationalities Papers|year=2020|volume=49|issue=1|pages=2–11|doi=10.1017/nps.2020.9}} On occasion, such tensions erupt into violence among players or spectators, as during the 1969 Football War between El Salvador and Honduras, a conflict sparked by rioting at World Cup qualifiers.{{cite news|last=Jennings|first=Andrew|title=Has football ever started a war?|work=The Guardian|date=2007-02-21|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/feb/21/theknowledge.sport|accessdate=2025-05-02}} Such episodes are viewed as contrary to the fundamental ethos of sport—namely, that it be contested for its own sake and for the enjoyment of participants. Politics and sport tragically intersected at the 1972 Munich Olympics, when Palestinian militants infiltrated the Olympic Village, took Israeli team members hostage, and ultimately killed 11 athletes in what became known as the Munich massacre.{{cite news|publisher=Reuters|title=Paris ceremony honours Israeli athletes killed in 1972 Munich Games attack|date=2024-08-06|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/olympics/paris-ceremony-honours-israeli-athletes-killed-1972-munich-games-attack-2024-08-06/|accessdate=2025-05-02}}

A study of US elections has shown that the result of sports events can affect the results. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that when the home team wins the game before the election, the incumbent candidates can increase their share of the vote by 1.5%. A loss had the opposite effect, and the effect is greater for higher-profile teams or unexpected wins and losses.{{cite news |title=Will Ohio State's Football Team Decide Who Wins the White House? |author1=Tyler Cowen |author2=Kevin Grier |work=Slate |date=24 October 2012 |url=http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/10/how_the_presidential_race_between_barack_obama_and_mitt_romney_could_be.html |access-date=29 December 2013 |archive-date=30 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233509/http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/10/how_the_presidential_race_between_barack_obama_and_mitt_romney_could_be.html |url-status=live }} When the Washington Commanders win their final game before an election, then the incumbent president is more likely to win, and if they lose, then the opposition candidate is more likely to win; this has become known as the Redskins Rule.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/11/03/will-redskins-rule-again-determine-outcome-of-presidential-election/ |title=Will Redskins Rule again determine outcome of presidential election? |author=Mike Jones |date=3 November 2012 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-date=7 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107110626/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/football-insider/wp/2012/11/03/will-redskins-rule-again-determine-outcome-of-presidential-election/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfrontrow.com/2012/10/redskins-rule-mnfs-hirdt-on-intersection-of-football-politics/ |title='Redskins Rule': MNF's Hirdt on intersection of football & politics |work=ESPN Front Row |date=30 October 2012 |access-date=12 June 2015 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032035/http://www.espnfrontrow.com/2012/10/redskins-rule-mnfs-hirdt-on-intersection-of-football-politics/ |url-status=live }}

Étienne de La Boétie, in his essay Discourse on Voluntary Servitude describes athletic spectacles as means for tyrants to control their subjects by distracting them.

Do not imagine that there is any bird more easily caught by decoy, nor any fish sooner fixed on the hook by wormy bait, than are all these poor fools neatly tricked into servitude...they let themselves be caught so quickly at the slightest tickling of their fancy. Plays, farces, spectacles, gladiators, strange beasts, medals, pictures, and other such opiates, these were for ancient peoples the bait toward slavery, the price of their liberty, the instruments of tyranny. By these...enticements the ancient dictators so successfully lulled their subjects under the yoke, that the stupefied peoples, fascinated by the pastimes and vain pleasures flashed before their eyes, learned subservience as naïvely...as little children learn to read by looking at bright picture books.Étienne de La Boétie, Discourse on Voluntary Servitude (1549), Part 2

{{main|New Testament athletic metaphors}}

File:Panathenaic amphora Kleophrades Louvre F277.jpg

Sport was an important form of worship in Ancient Greek religion. The ancient Olympic Games were held in honour of the head deity, Zeus, and featured various forms of religious dedication to him and other gods.Gardinier, Norman E., 'The Olympic Festival' in Greek Athletic Sports and Festivals, London: MacMillan, 1910, p.195

The practice of athletic competitions has been criticised by some Christian thinkers as a form of idolatry, in which "human beings extol themselves, adore themselves, sacrifice themselves and reward themselves."Sports and Christianity: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives, Nick J. Watson, ed. (Routledge: 2013), p. 178. Sports are seen by these critics as a manifestation of "collective pride" and "national self-deification" in which feats of human power are idolised at the expense of divine worship.

Tertullian condemns the athletic performances of his day, insisting "the entire apparatus of the shows is based upon idolatry."Tertullian, De spectaculis, Chapter 4. The shows, says Tertullian, excite passions foreign to the calm temperament cultivated by the Christian:

God has enjoined us to deal calmly, gently, quietly, and peacefully with the Holy Spirit, because these things are alone in keeping with the goodness of His nature, with His tenderness and sensitiveness. ... Well, how shall this be made to accord with the shows? For the show always leads to spiritual agitation, since where there is pleasure, there is keenness of feeling giving pleasure its zest; and where there is keenness of feeling, there is rivalry giving in turn its zest to that. Then, too, where you have rivalry, you have rage, bitterness, wrath and grief, with all bad things which flow from them – the whole entirely out of keeping with the religion of Christ.De spectaculis Chapter 15.

Christian clerics in the Wesleyan-Holiness movement oppose the viewing of or participation in professional sports, believing that professional sports leagues profane the Sabbath, compete with a Christian's primary commitment to God, exhibit a lack of modesty in the players' and cheerleaders' uniforms, are associated with violence and extensive use of profanity among many players, and encourage gambling, as well as alcohol and other drugs at sporting events, which go against a commitment to teetotalism.{{cite book |last1=Handel |first1=Paul S. |title=Reasons Why Organized Sports Are Not Pleasing to God |date=2020 |publisher=Immanuel Missionary Church |page=4 |language=English}}

{{Portal|Sports}}

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• Animals in sport
• Combat sport
• Fan (person)
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• List of sports terms named after people
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• Penalty card
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• Team sport
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• Women's sports
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{{Reflist}}

• European Commission (2007), The White Paper on Sport
• Council of Europe (2001), The European sport charter
• {{Free-content attribution

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{{Sister project links|Sports|voy=Sport}}

• The Meaning of Sports by Michael Mandel (PublicAffairs, {{ISBN|1-58648-252-1}}).
• [https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/rjps20 Journal of the Philosophy of Sport]
• Sullivan, George. The Complete Sports Dictionary. New York: Scholastic Book Services, 1979. p. 199. {{ISBN|0-590-05731-6}}

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