AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi hits back FIFA president Sepp Blatter
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AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has responded angrily to FIFA president Sepp Blatter's claim that players should remain on the pitch when faced with racist abuse.
Rossoneri midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng led his team-mates off the pitch during a friendly match at Pro Patria last week after being subjected to racist chanting from a section of the home fans.
Leading authority figures, campaigners and current professional footballers were quick to lend their support to the former Portsmouth and Tottenham player, who insisted he would walk off again in any competitive match under similar circumstances.
Blatter said there should be "zero tolerance" for racism in the game but did not feel the solution was for players to "run away" from racist abuse.
Berlusconi rejected the FIFA president's position on Monday, telling radio station RTL: "I am of the opposite view.
"In fact, I thanked and congratulated my players for their decision to leave the field during the friendly in Busto Arsizio.
"This is an uncivilised problem that needs to be stopped, people should not allow these things to happen.
"Teams out on the pitch should set an example of civility and the educational role of football should not be underestimated.
"It's not only about the behaviour of players in the game, but of the public, and everyone needs to avoid giving Italy a negative image."
"It's not only about the behaviour of players in the game, but of the public, and everyone needs to avoid giving Italy a negative image."
Silvio BerlusconiQuotes of the week
Speaking at a conference in the Middle East, Blatter had told United Arab Emirates newspaper The National, he said: "Walk off? No. I don't think that is the solution.
"But the Italian federation has yet to provide FIFA with the report detailing what exactly has happened.
"I don't think you can run away, because eventually you can run away if you lose a match. This issue is a very touchy subject, but I repeat there is zero tolerance of racism in the stadium; we have to go against that. The only solution is to be very harsh with the sanctions - and the sanctions must be a deduction of points or something similar."
Piara Powar, the executive director of anti-racist campaign group Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), told The Guardian on Monday: "We disagree entirely with the idea that Kevin-Prince Boateng ran away from the Milan match in which he was subjected to racial abuse. It's a nonsensical suggestion.
"What does Sepp Blatter know about what it is to be abused or excluded because you are an ethnic minority, and what might be the right or wrong way to respond?
"The point is that the hard-won processes put in place to deal with issues of discriminatory abuse, that apply from referees all the way up to international disciplinary commissions, are not being implemented.
"There seem to be so many statements being made off the cuff by football administrators on important issues of policy that are ill-thought out. The message going out is one of indifference by governing bodies at all levels."
Rossoneri midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng led his team-mates off the pitch during a friendly match at Pro Patria last week after being subjected to racist chanting from a section of the home fans.
Leading authority figures, campaigners and current professional footballers were quick to lend their support to the former Portsmouth and Tottenham player, who insisted he would walk off again in any competitive match under similar circumstances.
Blatter said there should be "zero tolerance" for racism in the game but did not feel the solution was for players to "run away" from racist abuse.
Berlusconi rejected the FIFA president's position on Monday, telling radio station RTL: "I am of the opposite view.
"In fact, I thanked and congratulated my players for their decision to leave the field during the friendly in Busto Arsizio.
"This is an uncivilised problem that needs to be stopped, people should not allow these things to happen.
"Teams out on the pitch should set an example of civility and the educational role of football should not be underestimated.
"It's not only about the behaviour of players in the game, but of the public, and everyone needs to avoid giving Italy a negative image."
"It's not only about the behaviour of players in the game, but of the public, and everyone needs to avoid giving Italy a negative image."
Silvio BerlusconiQuotes of the week
Speaking at a conference in the Middle East, Blatter had told United Arab Emirates newspaper The National, he said: "Walk off? No. I don't think that is the solution.
"But the Italian federation has yet to provide FIFA with the report detailing what exactly has happened.
"I don't think you can run away, because eventually you can run away if you lose a match. This issue is a very touchy subject, but I repeat there is zero tolerance of racism in the stadium; we have to go against that. The only solution is to be very harsh with the sanctions - and the sanctions must be a deduction of points or something similar."
Piara Powar, the executive director of anti-racist campaign group Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), told The Guardian on Monday: "We disagree entirely with the idea that Kevin-Prince Boateng ran away from the Milan match in which he was subjected to racial abuse. It's a nonsensical suggestion.
"What does Sepp Blatter know about what it is to be abused or excluded because you are an ethnic minority, and what might be the right or wrong way to respond?
"The point is that the hard-won processes put in place to deal with issues of discriminatory abuse, that apply from referees all the way up to international disciplinary commissions, are not being implemented.
"There seem to be so many statements being made off the cuff by football administrators on important issues of policy that are ill-thought out. The message going out is one of indifference by governing bodies at all levels."
AC Milan have made Robinho unavailable for transfer after talks over Santos move broke down
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AC Milan have made Robinho unavailable for transfer in January after talks over a possible return to Santos broke down.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani remained in Sao Paulo to discuss a potential 10million euro deal with the striker's boyhood club, having finalised the sale of Alexandre Pato to Corinthians on Thursday, but a satisfactory financial arrangement could not be agreed.
Following Sunday's 2-1 victory over Siena, Galliani told acmilan.com: "All negotiations to sell Robinho are over, he has been withdrawn from the market.
"He wanted to go back to Santos but neither Robinho nor Milan could reach a financial agreement with the Brazilian club.
"I called president (Silvio) Berlusconi to let him know and we are both happy that the player will stay. Robinho is happy too as he didn't really want to leave Milan, but to return home. He has been withdrawn from the market and we are left with five strikers."
With the Brazilian set to remain at the San Siro for the rest of the season, Milan are less likely to be able to finance a move for Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli or Didier Drogba of Shanghai Shenhua.
Robinho, who moved to the San Siro in 2010, has struggled to make an impact in Massimiliano Allegri's first team this season, scoring only two goals in 11 league appearances.
Following Pato's decision to join the Club World Cup champions for 15million euros, the 28-year-old will now compete with Stephan El Shaarawy, M'Baye Niang, Giampaolo Pazzini and Bojan Krkic for a starting berth.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani remained in Sao Paulo to discuss a potential 10million euro deal with the striker's boyhood club, having finalised the sale of Alexandre Pato to Corinthians on Thursday, but a satisfactory financial arrangement could not be agreed.
Following Sunday's 2-1 victory over Siena, Galliani told acmilan.com: "All negotiations to sell Robinho are over, he has been withdrawn from the market.
"He wanted to go back to Santos but neither Robinho nor Milan could reach a financial agreement with the Brazilian club.
"I called president (Silvio) Berlusconi to let him know and we are both happy that the player will stay. Robinho is happy too as he didn't really want to leave Milan, but to return home. He has been withdrawn from the market and we are left with five strikers."
With the Brazilian set to remain at the San Siro for the rest of the season, Milan are less likely to be able to finance a move for Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli or Didier Drogba of Shanghai Shenhua.
Robinho, who moved to the San Siro in 2010, has struggled to make an impact in Massimiliano Allegri's first team this season, scoring only two goals in 11 league appearances.
Following Pato's decision to join the Club World Cup champions for 15million euros, the 28-year-old will now compete with Stephan El Shaarawy, M'Baye Niang, Giampaolo Pazzini and Bojan Krkic for a starting berth.
Massimiliano Allegri cools Mario Balotelli move talk but wanrs striker over behaviour
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Massimiliano Allegri has played down reports linking AC Milan with a move for Mario Balotelli, but urged the player to move on from recent disciplinary issues.
The controversial Manchester City striker made headlines for the wrong reasons again this week when he was photographed having a training ground bust-up with boss Roberto Mancini.
It is the latest in the long line of disciplinary incidents that have dogged the 22-year-old since his move from Inter in 2011, with his future at the Premier League champions in doubt as a result.
Mancini played down the incident on Friday, but that has not stopped reports linking Balotelli with a move back to Italy.
Rossoneri boss Allegri distanced himself from any move for Balotelli but did warn the forward that he risks wasting his career if he is not careful.
"Balotelli? I don't know if he would be well at AC Milan," said Allegri. "I think Mario should think only about football because he risks ruining his career.
"He is a City player and an Italian football's heritage, he must prove his qualities and this can be done at City, at AC Milan or at Real Madrid."
The controversial Manchester City striker made headlines for the wrong reasons again this week when he was photographed having a training ground bust-up with boss Roberto Mancini.
It is the latest in the long line of disciplinary incidents that have dogged the 22-year-old since his move from Inter in 2011, with his future at the Premier League champions in doubt as a result.
Mancini played down the incident on Friday, but that has not stopped reports linking Balotelli with a move back to Italy.
Rossoneri boss Allegri distanced himself from any move for Balotelli but did warn the forward that he risks wasting his career if he is not careful.
"Balotelli? I don't know if he would be well at AC Milan," said Allegri. "I think Mario should think only about football because he risks ruining his career.
"He is a City player and an Italian football's heritage, he must prove his qualities and this can be done at City, at AC Milan or at Real Madrid."
Blatter: 'Boateng wrong to run away'
![Picture](/uploads/8/1/8/7/8187088/369816541.jpg)
FIFA President Sepp Blatter said Kevin-Prince Boateng was wrong to “run away” from racist abuse.
The Ghanaian walked off during a midweek friendly with Pro Patria after repeated racist insults from a small section of the fans.
Today Milan stepped on to the field with special anti-racism shirts before their 2-1 win over Siena.
“Walk off? No. I don't think that is the solution,” said Blatter in Dubai today.
“But the Italian federation have yet to provide FIFA with the report detailing what exactly has happened.
“I don't think you can run away, because eventually you can run away if you lose a match.
“This issue is a very touchy subject, but I repeat there is zero tolerance of racism in the stadium; we have to go against that.
“The only solution is to be very harsh with the sanctions - and the sanctions must be a deduction of points or something similar.”
The Ghanaian walked off during a midweek friendly with Pro Patria after repeated racist insults from a small section of the fans.
Today Milan stepped on to the field with special anti-racism shirts before their 2-1 win over Siena.
“Walk off? No. I don't think that is the solution,” said Blatter in Dubai today.
“But the Italian federation have yet to provide FIFA with the report detailing what exactly has happened.
“I don't think you can run away, because eventually you can run away if you lose a match.
“This issue is a very touchy subject, but I repeat there is zero tolerance of racism in the stadium; we have to go against that.
“The only solution is to be very harsh with the sanctions - and the sanctions must be a deduction of points or something similar.”
Wk19: Delfini sink Fiorentina!
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Milan scraped victory over Siena, but Pescara caused a huge upset by endingFiorentina’s unbeaten home record.
Elsewhere in the first round of 2013, Genoa got the better of Bologna,Chievo saw off Atalanta and Parma won a stoppage-time thriller.
Elsewhere in the first round of 2013, Genoa got the better of Bologna,Chievo saw off Atalanta and Parma won a stoppage-time thriller.
Sport
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Sport (or, primarily in North America, sports) is all forms of competitive physical activity which,[1] through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical ability and provide entertainment to participants.[2]Hundreds of sports exist, from those requiring only two participants, through to those with hundreds of simultaneous participants, either in teams or competing as individuals.
Sport is generally recognised as activities which are based in physical athleticism or physical dexterity, with the largest major competitions such as the Olympic Games admitting only sports meeting this definition,[3] and other organisations such as the Council of Europe using definitions precluding activities without a physical element from classification as sports.[2] However, a number of competitive, but non-physical, activities claim recognition as mind sports. The International Olympic Committee (through ARISF) recognises both chess and bridge as bona fide sports, and SportAccord, the international sports federation association, recognises five non-physical sports,[4][5] although limits the amount of mind games which can be admitted as sports.[1]
Sports are usually governed by a set of rules or customs, which serve to ensure fair competition, and allow consistent adjudication of the winner. Winning can be determined by physical events such as scoring goals or crossing a line first, or by the determination of judges who are scoring elements of the sporting performance, including objective or subjective measures such as technical performance or artistic impression.
In organised sport, records of performance are often kept, and for popular sports, this information may be widely announced or reported in sport news. In addition, sport is a major source of entertainment for non-participants, with spectator sports drawing large crowds to venues, and reaching wider audiences through sports broadcasting.
Sport is generally recognised as activities which are based in physical athleticism or physical dexterity, with the largest major competitions such as the Olympic Games admitting only sports meeting this definition,[3] and other organisations such as the Council of Europe using definitions precluding activities without a physical element from classification as sports.[2] However, a number of competitive, but non-physical, activities claim recognition as mind sports. The International Olympic Committee (through ARISF) recognises both chess and bridge as bona fide sports, and SportAccord, the international sports federation association, recognises five non-physical sports,[4][5] although limits the amount of mind games which can be admitted as sports.[1]
Sports are usually governed by a set of rules or customs, which serve to ensure fair competition, and allow consistent adjudication of the winner. Winning can be determined by physical events such as scoring goals or crossing a line first, or by the determination of judges who are scoring elements of the sporting performance, including objective or subjective measures such as technical performance or artistic impression.
In organised sport, records of performance are often kept, and for popular sports, this information may be widely announced or reported in sport news. In addition, sport is a major source of entertainment for non-participants, with spectator sports drawing large crowds to venues, and reaching wider audiences through sports broadcasting.
Etymology
"Sport" comes from the Old French desport meaning "leisure", with the oldest definition in English from around 1300 being "anything humans find amusing or entertaining".[6]
The Chinese term for sport, tiyu (体育; 體育) connotes physical training. The modern Greek term for sport is Αθλητισμός (athlitismos), directly cognate with the English terms "athlete" and "athleticism".
Other meanings include gambling and events staged for the purpose of gambling; hunting; and games and diversions, including ones that require exercise.[7] Roget's defines the noun sport as an "activity engaged in for relaxation and amusement" with synonyms including diversion and recreation.[8]
The Chinese term for sport, tiyu (体育; 體育) connotes physical training. The modern Greek term for sport is Αθλητισμός (athlitismos), directly cognate with the English terms "athlete" and "athleticism".
Other meanings include gambling and events staged for the purpose of gambling; hunting; and games and diversions, including ones that require exercise.[7] Roget's defines the noun sport as an "activity engaged in for relaxation and amusement" with synonyms including diversion and recreation.[8]
Nomenclature
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 terms.
Definition
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The precise definition of what separates a sport from other leisure activities varies between sources, with no universally agreed definition. The closest to an international agreement on a definition is provided by SportAccord, 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 factorepresentative of international sport.
SportAccord uses the following criteria, determining that a sport should:[1]
There has been an increase in the application of the term 'sport' to a wider set of non-physical challenges such as electronic sports, especially due to the large scale of participation and organised competition, but these are not widely recognised by mainstream sports organisations.
SportAccord uses the following criteria, determining that a sport should:[1]
- 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 in to the sport
There has been an increase in the application of the term 'sport' to a wider set of non-physical challenges such as electronic sports, especially due to the large scale of participation and organised competition, but these are not widely recognised by mainstream sports organisations.
Competition
There are opposing views on the necessity of competition as a defining element of a sport, with almost all professional sport involving competition, and governing bodies requiring competition as a prerequisite of recognition by the IOC or SportAccord.[1]
Other bodies advocate widening the definition of sport to include all physical activity. For instance, the Council of Europe include all forms of physical exercise, including those completed just for fun.
In order 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 are often controversial.[9][10]
Other bodies advocate widening the definition of sport to include all physical activity. For instance, the Council of Europe include all forms of physical exercise, including those completed just for fun.
In order 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 are often controversial.[9][10]
History
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There are artifacts and structures that suggest that the Chinese engaged in sporting activities as early as 2000 BC.[11] Gymnastics appears to have been a popular sport 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.[12] Other Egyptian sports included javelin throwing, high jump, and wrestling. Ancient Persian sports such as the traditional Iranian martial art of Zourkhaneh had a close connection to the warfare skills.[13] Among other sports that originate in ancient Persia are polo and jousting.
Motorized sports 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 sports in Greece influenced one another considerably. Sports 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.[14]
Sports have been increasingly organised and regulated from the time of the ancient Olympics up to the present century. Industrialisation has brought increased leisure time to the citizens of developed and developing countries, leading to more time for citizens to attend and follow spectator sports, greater participation in athletic activities, and increased accessibility. 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 began following the exploits of professional athletes through radio, television, and the internet — all while enjoying the exercise and competition associated with amateur participation in sports.
Motorized sports 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 sports in Greece influenced one another considerably. Sports 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.[14]
Sports have been increasingly organised and regulated from the time of the ancient Olympics up to the present century. Industrialisation has brought increased leisure time to the citizens of developed and developing countries, leading to more time for citizens to attend and follow spectator sports, greater participation in athletic activities, and increased accessibility. 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 began following the exploits of professional athletes through radio, television, and the internet — all while enjoying the exercise and competition associated with amateur participation in sports.
Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is an attitude that strives for fair play, courtesy toward teammates and opponents, ethical behaviour and integrity, and grace in victory or defeat.[15][16][17]
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's “not that you won or lost but how you played the game", and the modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder Pierre de Coubertin: "The most important thing... is not winning but taking part" are typical expressions of this sentiment.
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's “not that you won or lost but how you played the game", and the modern Olympic creed expressed by its founder Pierre de Coubertin: "The most important thing... is not winning but taking part" are typical expressions of this sentiment.
Cheating
Key tenets of sport include that the result should not be predetermined, and that both sides should have equal opportunity to win. Rules are in place to ensure that fair play to occur, but participants can break these rules in order to gain advantage.
Participants may choose to cheat in order to satisfy their desire to win, or in order to achieve an ulterior motive. The widespread existence of gambling on the results of sports fixtures creates the motivation for match fixing, where a participant or participants deliberately work to ensure a given outcome.
Participants may choose to cheat in order to satisfy their desire to win, or in order to achieve an ulterior motive. The widespread existence of gambling on the results of sports fixtures creates the motivation for match fixing, where a participant or participants deliberately work to ensure a given outcome.
Doping and drugs
The competitive nature of sport encourages some participants to attempt to enhance their performance through the use of medicines, or through other means such as increasing the volume of blood in their bodies through artificial means.
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.
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.
Violence
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 are common and ongoing problems at national and international sporting contests.
Gender participation
Female participation continues to rise alongside the opportunity for involvement and the value of sports for child development and physical fitness. Despite gains during the last three decades, a gap persists in the enrollment figures between male and female players. Female players account for 39% of the total participation in US interscholastic athletics. Gender balance has been accelerating from a 32% increase in 1973–74 to a 63% increase in 1994–95. Hessel (2000)
Youth participation
Youth sports present children with opportunities for fun, socialization, forming peer relationships, physical fitness, and athletic scholarships. Activists for education and the war on drugs encourage youth sports 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 sports is death or serious injury including concussion, with the highest risk coming from running, basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, and gymnastics.[18]
Spectator involvement
The competition element of sport, along with the aesthetic appeal of some sports, result in the popularity of people attending to watch sport being played. This has led to the specific phenomenon of spectator sport.
Both amateur and professional sports attract spectators, both in person at the sport venue, and through broadcast mediums includingradio, television and internet broadcast. Both attendance in person and viewing remotely can incur a sometimes substantial charge, such as an entrance ticket, or pay-per-view television broadcast.
It is common for popular sports to attract large broadcast audiences, leading to rival broadcasters bidding large amounts of money for the rights to show certain fixtures. The football World Cup attracts a global television audience of hundreds of millions; the 2006 final alone attracted an estimated worldwide audience of well over 700 million and the 2007 Cricket World Cup attracted about 2.3 Billion worldwide viewers.[citation needed]
In the United States, the championship game of the NFL, the Super Bowl, has become one of the most watched television broadcasts of the year.[citation needed] Super Bowl Sunday is a de facto national holiday in America; the viewership being so great that in 2007 advertising space was reported as being sold at $2.6m for a 30 second slot.[citation need
Both amateur and professional sports attract spectators, both in person at the sport venue, and through broadcast mediums includingradio, television and internet broadcast. Both attendance in person and viewing remotely can incur a sometimes substantial charge, such as an entrance ticket, or pay-per-view television broadcast.
It is common for popular sports to attract large broadcast audiences, leading to rival broadcasters bidding large amounts of money for the rights to show certain fixtures. The football World Cup attracts a global television audience of hundreds of millions; the 2006 final alone attracted an estimated worldwide audience of well over 700 million and the 2007 Cricket World Cup attracted about 2.3 Billion worldwide viewers.[citation needed]
In the United States, the championship game of the NFL, the Super Bowl, has become one of the most watched television broadcasts of the year.[citation needed] Super Bowl Sunday is a de facto national holiday in America; the viewership being so great that in 2007 advertising space was reported as being sold at $2.6m for a 30 second slot.[citation need
Amateur and professional
Sport can be undertaken on an amateur, professional or semi-professional basis, depending on whether particpants are incentivised for participation (usually through payment of a wage or salary).
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 in to millions of dollars.[19]
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 practiced a sport professionally considered to have an unfair advantage over those who practiced it merely as a hobby.[20] Following the 1988 games, the IOC decided to make all professional athletes eligible for the Olympics, with only boxing and wrestling still competed on an "amateur" basis, although this revolves around rules, and not payment.
Grassroots sport is a popular phrase which covers the amateur participation in sport at lower levels, normally without pretension towards higher achievement, and is in line with the "sport for all" mentality, where enjoyment is the primary reason for participation.[2][21]
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 in to millions of dollars.[19]
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 practiced a sport professionally considered to have an unfair advantage over those who practiced it merely as a hobby.[20] Following the 1988 games, the IOC decided to make all professional athletes eligible for the Olympics, with only boxing and wrestling still competed on an "amateur" basis, although this revolves around rules, and not payment.
Grassroots sport is a popular phrase which covers the amateur participation in sport at lower levels, normally without pretension towards higher achievement, and is in line with the "sport for all" mentality, where enjoyment is the primary reason for participation.[2][21]
Technology
Technology plays an important part in modern sport, with it being a necessary part of some sports (such as motorsport), and used in others to improve performance.
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.
In order to control the impact of technology on fair play, governing bodies frequently have specific rules designed to control the impact of technical advantage between participants.
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.
In order to control the impact of technology on fair play, governing bodies frequently have specific rules designed to control the impact of technical advantage between participants.
Politics
Sports and politics can influence each other greatly.
When apartheid was the 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 demolition of the policy of apartheid, others feel that it may have prolonged and reinforced its worst effects.[22]
The 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin was an illustration, perhaps best recognised in retrospect, where an ideology was developing which used the event to strengthen its spread through propaganda.
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 football, or other games seen to be of British origin. Until recently the GAA continued to ban the playing of football and rugby union at Gaelic venues. This ban is still enforced, but was modified to allow football and rugby to be played in Croke Park whileLansdowne Road was redeveloped into Aviva Stadium. Until recently, under Rule 21, the GAA also 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 the eventual removal of the ban.
Nationalism is often evident in the pursuit of sports, or in its reporting: people compete in national teams, or commentators and audiences can adopt a partisan view. On occasion, such tensions can lead to violent confrontation among players or spectators within and beyond the sporting venue, as in the Football War. These trends are seen by many as contrary to the fundamental ethos of sports being carried on for its own sake and for the enjoyment of its participants.
A very famous case when sports and politics colided was the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Masked men entered the hotel of the Israeli olympic team and killed many of their men. This was known as the Munich massacre.
When apartheid was the 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 demolition of the policy of apartheid, others feel that it may have prolonged and reinforced its worst effects.[22]
The 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin was an illustration, perhaps best recognised in retrospect, where an ideology was developing which used the event to strengthen its spread through propaganda.
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 football, or other games seen to be of British origin. Until recently the GAA continued to ban the playing of football and rugby union at Gaelic venues. This ban is still enforced, but was modified to allow football and rugby to be played in Croke Park whileLansdowne Road was redeveloped into Aviva Stadium. Until recently, under Rule 21, the GAA also 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 the eventual removal of the ban.
Nationalism is often evident in the pursuit of sports, or in its reporting: people compete in national teams, or commentators and audiences can adopt a partisan view. On occasion, such tensions can lead to violent confrontation among players or spectators within and beyond the sporting venue, as in the Football War. These trends are seen by many as contrary to the fundamental ethos of sports being carried on for its own sake and for the enjoyment of its participants.
A very famous case when sports and politics colided was the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Masked men entered the hotel of the Israeli olympic team and killed many of their men. This was known as the Munich massacre.
See also
- Outline of sports
- List of sportspeople
- List of sports attendance figures
- List of professional sports leagues
- International sports calendar
- Athletic sports
- Combat sport
- Disabled sports
- Electronic sports
- Handedness#Advantage in sports
- Mind sport
- Most popular sport by country
- Motor sports
- Multi-sport events
- National sport
- Nationalism and sports
- Olympic Games
- Paralympic Games
- Sponsorship
- Sport in film
- Sport governing bodies
- Sport Psychology
- Sports club
- Sports coaching
- Sports commentator
- Sports equipment
- Sports fan
- Sports injuries
- Sports league attendances
- Sports marketing
- Sports terms named after people
- Sports trainer
- Sportsperson
- Women's sports
- Water sports
References
- ^ a b c d e "Definition of sport". SportAccord.
- ^ a b c Council of Europe. "The Europien sport charter". Retrieved 2012-03-05.
- ^ "List of Summer and Winter Olympic Sports and Events". The Olympic Movement.
- ^ "World Mind Games". SportAccord.
- ^ "Members". SportAccord.
- ^ Harper, Douglas. "sport (n.)". Online Etymological Dictionary. Retrieved 20 April 2008.
- ^ Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged. Springfield, MA: G&C Merriam Company. 1967. p. 2206.
- ^ Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 1995. ISBN 0-618-25414-5.
- ^ front, Rebecca (2011-07-17). "A little competition". The Guardian.
- ^ Scrimgeour, Heidi (2011-06-17). "Why parents hate school sports day". ParentDish.
- ^ "Sports History in China".
- ^ "Mr Ahmed D. Touny (EGY), IOC Member".
- ^ "Persian warriors".
- ^ "Ancient Olympic Games".
- ^ "Sportsmanship". Merriam-Webster.
- ^ Fish, Joel; Magee, Susan (2003). 101 Ways to Be a Terrific Sports Parent. Fireside. p. 168.
- ^ Lacey, David (2007-11-10). "It takes a bad loser to become a good winner". The Guardian.
- ^ "Gym class injuries up 150% between 1997 and 2007", Time, 4 August 2009
- ^ Freedman, Jonah. "Fortunate 50 2011". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ Eassom, Simon (1994). Critical Reflections on Olympic Ideology. Ontario: The Centre for Olympic Studies. pp. 120–123. ISBN 0-7714-1697-0.
- ^ European Commission. "The White Paper on Sport". Retrieved 11.7.2007.
- ^ "Sport and apartheid".
- European Commission (2007), The White Paper on Sport.
- Council of Europe (2001), The Europien sport charter.