The Transcendence of Cultural Barriers Through The History of Sports

1742 Words4 Pages

Even though not every person likes sports, sports transcend all cultural boundaries because the history of sport dates back to the dawn of humanity. The ideology of sports transcending cultural barriers exists in the world today. As evident in the Olympics and several other sporting games across the world which unite a diverse culture range we can look at the empirical evidence as proof of such ideas. The impact of sports reaches much further than serving as entertainment or recreation. Some people argue the notion of cultural imperialism over cultural transcendence in relation to the history of sports. I will begin by discussing the history of sports and how cultural transcendence through the use of sports developed over time.

The root of sports trace back to the dawn of humanity through archaeological and ethnographic evidence such as cave paintings and the accounts of early European explorers. Contests involving running, jumping, throwing, catching, and fighting trace back to antiquity. Sports can often represent a term used to identify many types of physical activities done competitively or leisurely. However, sports also assist in cohesion from a wide cultural landscape spanning the globe. Sports have played a significant role throughout history in developing societies and communities across the globe. The evolution of sports throughout history illustrates how sports have transcended all cultural boundaries through several ideological factors such as respect, sportsmanship, fair play, honor, and integrity, for example. The idea of sports providing an equal playing field or opportunity opens the doors for a wide variety of people to participate and compete against equal opposition regardless of cultural standing. I will mov...

... middle of paper ...

...ing The Game: Sports As A Force For Promoting Improved Academic Performance For Urban Youth.” Journal of Cultural Diversity 17.4 (2010): 127-135. 2010894612. EBSCO. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.

Kummels, Ingrid. “Reflecting Diversity: Variants Of The Legendary Footraces Of The Rarámuri In Northern Mexico.” National Museum of Ethnography 66.1 (2001): 73-98. 4802213. EBSCO. Web. 3 Mar. 2011.

Jaouen, Guy. “Which Sporting Leisures For Which Society Of Tomorrow?” Studies in Physical Culture & Tourism 16.2 (2009): 137-146. 44574307. EBSCO. Web. 1 Mar. 2011.

“Purposes Of Sport In Ancient Societies.” Ancient Sports. Sapercom. (2010). Web. 18 Jan. 2011.

Rehmann, Jan. “Ideology Theory.” Historical Materialism 15.4 (2007): 211-239. 27921726. EBSCO. Web. 8 Mar. 2011.

Zeigler, Terry. “Instilling Core Values Through Youth Sports.” Suite101. Suite101.com. (May 2009). Web. 18 Jan. 2011.

More about The Transcendence of Cultural Barriers Through The History of Sports

Open Document