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Sports Jobs New Zealand |
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The development of sports throughout history teaches us a great
deal about social changes, and about the nature of sport itself.
There are many modern discoveries in France, Africa, and
Australia of cave art (see, for example, Lascaux) from
prehistory that provide evidence of ritual ceremonial behaviour.
Some of these sources date from over 30,000 years ago, as
established by carbon dating. Although there is scant direct
evidence of sport from these sources, it is reasonable to
extrapolate that there were activities during these times that
would fit the modern definition of sport.
There are artifacts and structures that suggest that the Chinese
engaged in sporting activities as early as 4000 BC. Gymnastics
appears to have been a popular sport in China's ancient past.
Monuments to the Pharaohs indicate that a range of sports,
including swimming and fishing, were well-developed and
regulated several thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt. 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. Among other sports that originate in Persia are
polo and jousting.
In Europe, ancient Irish legends show evidence of the ancestor
of modern hurling being used as a means of preparing warriors
for battle as far back as the 13th century BC.
A wide range of sports were already established at the time of
Ancient Greece. Wrestling, running, boxing, javelin, discus
throwing, and chariot racing were prevalent. This wide range of
activities suggests that the military culture and the
development of sports in Greece informed one another coniserably.
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 Pelopponisos called
Olympia.
Sports have been increasingly organized and regulated from the
time of the Ancient Olympics up to the present century.
Industrialization 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.
Worldwide, soccer is the most popular sport of all. In the
United States, baseball, basketball, and football are popular as
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