Sports have a powerful emotional impact on people. Fans feel intense identification with their favorite teams or a deep hatred for their rivals. They feel dismay when a hero or idol is injured, and elation when their team scores a last-minute goal. Whether you watch the Olympics or the Super Bowl, there is no feeling quite like a competitive, adrenaline-fueled win or loss.
It is not known when sports first began, but we know that they were often part of children’s play. Later, they evolved into adult-level autotelic physical contests. Ancient civilizations praised hunting, and the pursuit of prey was a sport in itself. In modern times, sports have expanded to include more than just hunting.
Even after the dissolution of the Soviet bloc, the international sporting order has persisted. Nations are grouped into core, semiperipheral, and peripheral blocs based on economics, culture, and politics. For example, the core sports world consists of the United States, Russia, Australia, and South Korea.
Sports are an important part of mass media and its influence is profound. Sports are used by mass media to advertise and promote products and services. They are also used as a way to promote national culture.
