The History of Sports and Competition


Before you read

Match the words on the left with their definitions on the right:


1. To chase

2. Tool

3. To bring about

4. To domesticate

5. Patient

6. Keen on

7. Spectacle



to train an animal to live with humans

to follow sb. or sth. in order to catch them

an instrument held in hand

to make sth. happen, to cause a change

an unusual and impressive event or sight

able to wait for a long time

wanting to do sth., very interested


The Origins of Sports


     It is possible to search for the origins of sports in primitive matters of survival. Some
sports and disciplines such as running and throwing can be associated with chasing and killing
animals. Tools that were once used for killing have been transformed into symbolic instruments like
bats, rackets and clubs.


     The coming of farming brought about a revolutionary change in the human way of living –
hunting skills were no longer needed. Instead, farmers had to develop the skills of domesticating
and feeding animals, they had to be patient and responsible. Nevertheless, people still went
hunting for pleasure and excitement.


     Greek civilisation is probably the first culture to integrate sports and competition into
civic life. Athletic excellence was a heroic, mythical success. The Greek ambition was to win and
little attention was paid to such things as “fairness”. Greeks were also very keen on physical
perfection and part of the competition was to show the muscular bodies of men, but not women. One
of the ideals of Greek games was kalos kai agathos.


     The games were probably less important as a spectacle than they were as a point around which
to organize training. Fitness and strength were important qualities of warriors as much as sports
performers.



After you read


Decide whether these statements are true or false:


 1. Many sports are similar to the methods people once used for getting food.
 2. When people started farming and domesticating animals, they did not want to hunt any more.
 3. The best Greek athletes were considered to be chosen by gods.
 4. Women were allowed to take part in the Games.
 5. The Games in ancient Greece were held primarily to entertain the crowds.



THE OLYMPIC GAMES


Complete the text:


The ancient Olympic Games were held in _____________, Greece, every four year from at least _____
BC, until they were banned by Emperor ________________ in 389/393/394 AD. (date is unclear)

Originally, there was only one race, a __________ event, and the prize for the winner was an olive
wreath. As time went on, other races and sports were added. A unique feature of the Games was that
at the time of the staging, countries which were at _____________ laid down their weapons, competed
and returned to the war after the event.

The Modern Olympics as we know it was the brain-child of a Frenchman _______________. He first
proposed the idea of restaging the festivals of ancient Greece. In 1894 an Olympic Congress met in
___________ and decided to stage its first Modern Games in Athens in ________.

The Games were not held in the years 1916, _______ and 1944 due to the First and Second World Wars.



TASK

Do you know any interesting facts from the history of the Games? Prepare a few quiz questions for
your colleagues.