The modern sport we know today originated in the late 17th century, with the emergence of the sports record. Puritans forced traditional pastimes underground, leading to the emergence of organized games. The Marylebone Cricket Club, founded in 1787, developed sports with rationalized competition, including cricket. Eventually, the sport became the world’s most popular game. But how did it all start? What are the roots of sports? Here’s a brief history.
Ancient civilizations also played ball games, including the Chinese, Aztecs, and Greeks. While some evidence suggests these games were religious rituals, others believe they were purely for sport. In Greece, the first written report of a sports contest dates back to the late seventeenth century. During the early Roman period, games were often part of funeral rituals, and drunkenness was common. In addition, the Pritschenkoenig was supposed to keep the crowds entertained with clever verses.
Although some sports have retained their aesthetic element, the modern focus is on quantified achievement. The transition from Renaissance to modern sports can be seen in the semantic shift: the word measure, which used to mean proportion and balance, began to mean numerical measurements. Hence, the phrase “sports” has become synonymous with games, as well as the’sports’ subculture. While some elements of sports remained unchanged, many others have become completely different.
Recreational sports are more socially desirable than competitive ones. Athletes and teams that participate at the highest level often sacrifice other interests. Recreational sports, on the other hand, emphasize physical fitness and social involvement. They are regarded as less stressful than competitive sports, and the expectations for commitment and performance are lower. But the impact of sports on individuals’ minds and relationships is not so obvious. They are, however, a common part of modern society.
