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Origins of Sports

May 26, 2011 | By Jayne Yenko
Origins of Sports
Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images

The origins of sports must extend as far back as the history of human beings. Sports seem to have used basic skills that were being developed for survival and mastery of the physical environment. The further we go back in time, the less evidence there is of people participating in sports.

Ancient Sport

There is evidence of sports that are over 2,000 years old. These include hurling, like field hockey; harpastum, a type of handball; cuju, like cricket; and polo. The countries in which these sports originated vary from Ireland, the Roman Empire, China and Persia. It's also known that the ballgame ullamaliztli, played by the Aztecs, developed over 3,000 years ago. It was a version of an even more ancient ballgame played by the Mayans and may have begun with Olmec civilization. Gymnastics appears in China's past. Swimming, fishing, javelin throwing, the high jump and wrestling are ancient Egyptian sports. Some sports, such as javelin throwing, wrestling, and polo had a close connection to military skills.

Greece

In Minoan art bull-leaping and bullfighting are depicted. Homer described sports practiced during the Mycenaean period. Funeral sports games are described in the Iliad. Greece had the first formal sport events that are known, with the first Olympics in 776 B.C. Originally this was a sprinting event which expanded to include boxing, wrestling, chariot racing, the long jump, javelin throwing, and the discus throw. The Olympics were banned in A.D. 323 by Emperor Theodosius after being played for over 1,000 years. In 1896, the first modern Olympics were held in Athens. Representing 13 countries, about 300 athletes participated. The Olympic winter sports were added in 1924. Unlike in ancient Greece, where armed conflicts would be halted for the games, in modern times, war would stop the Olympics.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages whole villages competed with each other in violent ballgames in England and Ireland. Formal horse racing was favored among the upper classes in England at this time, although games on horseback had been played since the 6th century B.C. Horse races were even part of the original Olympics. Tennis was a favorite of the upper classes in Europe from the 14th century onward. Bowls began in A.D. 1299 and curling developed in A.D. 1511, both in Scotland and are still played today. Golf was also introduced in the 15th century in Scotland. Fly fishing dates back to A.D. 200, but did not become popular until the 15th century. The wealthy took trips aboard to fish, particularly to Norway, while the commoners took the trains out to the countryside in Britain to fish. As the Industrial Revolution developed, people had more time for play as they usually had Sunday afternoons free from work.

Modern Sport

Cricket appeared in England in 1598. Cricket, boxing and horse racing were all supported by gambling, something the early Puritans frowned upon, although there is no record of the sports being banned. The first lawnmower was patented in 1830, allowing for modern playing fields. Golf had been played on dirt or sand prior to the lawnmower. Croquet was a sport men and women could play together. Previously, sports were mainly for men. The first croquet tournament was held in 1864. Baseball appeared in the United States with official rules in 1845. Basketball was invented in 1891, American football followed with a professional team in 1892. The first car race was held in 1894 in France for a distance of 78 miles. Many games were developed to show off skills in hunting and warfare tactics, such as horse racing, boxing, and chariot racing. Others were developed to pass the time, like tennis, golf, and croquet. Human beings have a competitive spirit and sports are one outlet for that part of human nature.

References

Article reviewed by Joel Nisleit Last updated on: May 26, 2011

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