While no one knows when sports first began, they have always been part of childhood, with no clear definite date. In prehistoric art, we see hunters chasing their prey with joy. Later, sports became a part of culture and became an end in themselves in ancient civilizations. Among the earliest known forms of sports are archery, wrestling, and fencing, which were later adopted by the northern Europeans. Today, we know that modern sports include many forms of motorized competition.
The term sport can be defined as any physical activity in which an opponent attempts to prevent the other player from scoring. There is an aesthetic element in some sports, but the emphasis in modern games is on quantitative achievement. In the transition from Renaissance to modern sports, the word measure takes on new meanings. It once referred to a sense of proportion and balance, but over time, the word came to mean a more abstract meaning based on the numerical measurements.
As the 20th century unfolded, the concept of sports became more global and inclusive. In addition to expanding participation opportunities, women, African Americans, and Australian Aboriginal people won the right to compete in sports once considered male-dominated. Similarly, in the 21st century, the Olympic Games have become a global forum for political debate and competition. Whether we should have international sports events or national competitions is a topic that can be debated endlessly.
