Sport

How one understands sports depends on how one views it.  From an individual or personal perspective, sports can mean a form of recreation or pastime a means of making use of idle time in other pursuits aside from work or studies such as chess for intellectuals of all ages and horseshow throwing for senior citizens.  It can also be a form of physical therapy of exercise for several such as running, cycling or even weightlifting which is guaranteed to keep one in top physical form.  If there are sports for individuals, there are also sports for teams or groups such as basketball and football which not only is a pastime or exercise, but also an opportunity to bond with friends and relatives by playing together.  For some people, sport is treated more like a game or pastime for others, it is treated as an opportunity to advance oneself or make it their way of life.  The desire for competitiveness and the drive to excel is what makes athletes give it their best, whether as individuals or as a team.  If one were to look at it from a much bigger picture, sports can also be an influencing factor in ones culture.  To excel in a sport may be an individual achievement, but to represent ones country and excelling brings not only individual honor but instills a sense of national pride in ones country as well.  Major (international) sporting events provide the opportunities for these athletes to assert their superiority and victories help validate that notion.  In almost every summer Olympic event, the United States has virtually lorded over other international competitors to the point they almost have no equal.  This speaks a lot of the culture and attitude of the average American who are aware that they are a superpower nation not only in terms of military capability or economic prosperity but in sports as well (Dyreson, 1998).
If there is one thing that these achievements help contribute to sporting culture is that it provides role models.
Sports champions, to a certain degree, become superstars in their home country.  As superstars, they are idolized by many, especially the youth who would be inspired to emulate them and someday become champions and superstars themselves.  Going back again to American sports as an example, the likes of Michael Jordan (basketball) or Michael Phelps (swimming) has had many young people wanting to follow in their footsteps.  The media is partly responsible for promoting these iconic figures as their images appear virtually everywhere from cereal boxes to lunch boxes.  Big name companies would also sign up these starts to promote their products and even acquired the license to borrow their names such as the famed Nike Air Jordan line of basketball sneakers or the Roger Federer line of tennis shoes.  These companies have successfully capitalized on the strategy of identiying with the winners and somehow established a spiritual connection of the fans with their idols through these products as if they have also acquired a part of them.
Another factor that needs to be taken into consideration is the attitude instilled in every participant.  This is first developed at the grassroots level such as sandlot baseball or playing basketball in public courts.  It is here that future champions and stars not only play to stay fit and healthy, they also develop a competitive attitude.  This attitude is not limited to competing against another player, it is also a competition against oneself.  It is that attitude of giving ones best and to excel.  In addition, there is also the nurturing of other essential values such as observing fair play, magnanimity and even a chance to exercise leadership (for team sports). In the grassroots level as well, sports also provide opportunities to bring people together like playing football in family reunions and homecoming days in high schools and colleges.  These events help instill or reaffirm a sense of loyalty or affiliation though on a smaller scale but can be applied in a much larger scale when competing in international events when cheering for the home team or first team  (Dyreson, 1998).

In individualistic societies like the United States, money is also another motivator for promoting sports.  For some of the gifted athletes, the sport is not a mere recreation or exercise, it is their life and they have invested their talents and efforts in perfecting their game.  This has led to the creation of professional sports organizations such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball (MLB).  Sports has also become a form of occupation for these talented athletes and this is what motivates them to be their best, not to mention well-paid.

Each country also has a chance to promote a sport that is unique to them and even attempt to export it.  If it is accepted by another, it is a sign that the sport has an appeal.  In the case of the Americans, it would be basketball and baseball which has acquired a large following in other countries.  In some European countries, it would be soccer.  From Asian countries such as China, Japan and Korea, martial arts such as wushu, karate and taekwondo which has also developed a large following worldwide.  These exported sports represent the best of what the country of origin has to offer and serves to promote it.  These sports have become so popular worldwide that international trournaments are held nearly on a regular basis that not only promotes the sport but foster friendship and cooperation among nations that no diplomat could possibly accomplish in an international summit.

In conclusion, it can be said that sports are more than just games and pastimes.  For some, it is a way of life, for others, a source of national pride and to a certain extent, a vehicle for promoting closer ties with ones neighbors whether local or global.