Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Discussion

A.      Definition and History of Sports

What is a sport? When do you begin considering a physical activity a sport? Various dictionaries gave different meaning for sports. Some say that sports are physical activity involving strategic responses and cardio-vascular coordination.  Others define it as an activity involving sportsmanship and international league. But how do sports enthusiasts describe sports professionally?

According to the article entitled “Open Mic: The definition of Sports” by B D Analyst that I found in a site called bleachreporter.com. B D analyst stated that a sport is "an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature, as racing, baseball, tennis, golf, bowling, wrestling, boxing, hunting, fishing, etc." but he defined it better than that. He said that people should not be bound on the definition dictionary gives because sports have essential factors that make it interesting. He gave 3 factors that make up sport. First is Physical action with skills which involves skill in every move you make. Second is mental action where you need to think of strategically wise moves in order to win the opponent. Lastly is the Head-to-Head Action. This is where you need to interact and encounter your opponent and do the offensive and defensive.

B D Analyst also stated that “All in all, the definition of sports is not a mutation or an amorous dalliance, but is physical action involving skill, mental action, and head to head action.” (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/34201-open-mic-the-definition-of-sports).

But defining what sport is is not enough. Sport didn’t begin in a blink of an eye. People created this competitive side of our world not just for rivalry alone but also for Health Benefits and entertainment.

Where do people begin in explaining how sports began? People always find it hard to do.  But as always, historians always begin in Greece. Greece pioneered the introduction of formal sports. It involved throwing spears and riding the chariot.

According to an article entitled “History of Sports: The inventors behind the games and the history of sports equipment.” By Mary Bellis that I found in the site called inventors.about.com . Bellis stated the different histories of various sports like basketball, football and volleyball. He said that Greece started formal sports competition. Other sports originated other sports from the Olympics that Greeks started.

Bellis also stated that “Ancient Greece introduced formal sports, with the first Olympic Games in 776 BC, that included sports such as human and chariot races, wrestling, jumping, disk and javelin throwing, and more.” (http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/tp/History-Of-Sports.htm).

But sports didn’t stop from what Greece only made. People invented other sports that people enjoys until now. The modern era even gave chances for people to participate even though they don’t belong on American or European countries unlike the time of Greece.

B.      Definition of Athletes

What do we call people who play sports? Athletes. Normally, people who are into sports and execute time for sports are called athletes. They are the people who engage themselves in various training to enhance their physical and mental abilities. But how do we really define them? Is being physically involved in sports enough?

According to an article entitled “The Great Debate: What Defines The Athlete?” by PJ Edelman that I found in the website bleacherreport.com stated that different meaning have been defined by dictionaries on what an athlete really is. As time went by, people altered the meaning of what an athlete is. A lot of sports enthusiasts debated on this for a very long time. He said that the real definition of athlete depends on how people see them. Just like the saying “The beauty is in the eye of the beholder” sports has “Athletes are in the eye of the debaters.” He stated different athletes that have been debated to be the best.

Edelman also said that "A superior athlete is one who has above average physical skills (strength, agility, and endurance) and is thus more suited for physical competition.” (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/48497-the-great-debate-what-defines-the-athlete).

Being an athlete doesn’t depend on having the biggest body, toughest cardio-vasculature system, and mental ability. It depends on how people see your passion and effort on a certain sports field you join. The effort you will give will bear fruit as you push it through.

C.      Factors that are involved on addiction of people to sports

Here comes the climax. Why are people so into sports? Why are sports so famous until now? Even without an explanation, people will still be into it. No reasons at all. But some people would love to know why people love sports and why they support the industry.

C.1. The Children in us

The truth is, people think like kids. Even though they mature as they age, people still act like children. They don’t want people thinking that they are too old for other stuff. They have the tendency to love what younger people like because we all became kids and we still are until now.

According to an article entitled, “Why We Watch Sports - And It's Not What You Think” by Jason OConnor that I found in the site called mentalgamecoaching.com explained that We just hide our real thoughts and feeling that we still want to go back to our youthful and energetic age. Even if we are not yet old, we feel bounded by the society and watching sport makes as feel energetic and it makes us want to move around and play. Sports play a part on making us feel young at heart.  The thrill on waiting who will win and lose enjoys us. It’s like we are watching a film without scripts for the actors.

OConnor also stated that, “A sports game is a sort of story. There is a beginning and an end. There is a protagonist (your team) and an antagonist (the other team). There is a scene and setting, the stadium at noon, and there is a plot, which is the action. Only after the games ends, and depending on if your team won or not, is it decided to be called a fairy tale ending or a tragedy.” (http://www.mentalgamecoaching.com/IMGCAArticles/SportsAndSociety/WhyWeWatchSports.html).

Like how teenagers love watching dramas, sports enthusiasts have goosies when they watch games especially live. Watching athletes play makes them feel young and active again.

C.2. Sports inspires us

Everyone needs inspiration to do something. Even simple jobs like writing a story or composing a song needs motivation from other works and people. We can do better when someone or something inspires us.

According to the article entitled “Why We Love Sports” by Red Shannon that I found on the site called bleacherreporter.com  said that despite the bad issues and controversies that surrounds athletes, they still inspire us to reach for our dreams. Basketball stars like Derrick Rose who suffered from different injuries and controversies still stood straight and became the youngest MVP last 2010 and 2011. Athletes like him make us do what we want despite different borders waiting for us.

Shannon also stated that “Their world is populated with people who strive for excellence. Being in the presence of such people - directly, as fellow athletes, or indirectly as observers makes us lift our sights a little higher...encourages us to loftier standards in our everyday lives.” (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/45904-why-we-love-sports).

Like me, Derrick Rose inspires me to do well in basketball. It’s the same to other people. They begin to love sports when they find someone to inspire them.

C.3 Influence of shared experience

Have someone to share your love for sports? Well, most of us love to have one. Finding a friend who is also into sports make us feel on fire. We can also play together and watch together.

According to the article entitled “The Psychology Of Social Sports Fans: What Makes Them So Crazy?” by Thomas Van Schaik that I found in the site called sportsnetworker.com where he stated a lot reasons the psychology behind fans addiction to sports. He said a lot of reasons but the experience we share to other people is the main idea. When we have someone to play with and train with, we become inspire to do sports and support sports. The favor of introducing sports to others is pleasurable for us. Also, parents play a big part on being in love with sports. When you grow up on a family that always watches football game and basketball leagues, you will grow up with it. You will have the future to become an athlete someday because you always watch games and you become inspired.

Van Schaik also said that “Its fantastic to share experiences with your kids and most parents feel they’re doing their kids a big favour by introducing them to sports; ‘the school of life’. Sports are perfectly suited to focus on results, enjoy the essence of teamwork, learn that practice makes perfect, how to play by the rules and respect authority, win with grace and loose with dignity.”

Having parents that support you on what you do and love will make you do whatever. Most of us will be inspired to do it.

In the end, being addicted to sports all depends on your surroundings. The way you live is a big factor. Why people love sports will always be depending on a generation we live upon.