Sports are activities that involve physical exertion and competition. They are usually governed by a set of rules and customs that ensure fair play and equal opportunity.
The history of sports can be divided into two distinct periods: the Renaissance and modern. Both were shaped by European conquest and marginalization of native customs.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, the elites of European civilizations preferred dances and other forms of physical contest. However, the introduction of organized games by the European conquest in the late 17th century led to a semantic shift in the terminology used for sports.
This change was reflected in the development of a sports record. A sport’s record was first created in England in the late 17th century.
After the end of World War II, basketball became a worldwide sport. A number of leagues created an annual champion by arranging games in the regular season.
There are many debates about which is the hardest sport in the world. Some argue that a sport is not about winning, but instead is a form of physical fitness. Others claim that all activities are equally beneficial.
Regardless of the definition used, the basic purpose of a sports event is to promote physical health and entertainment. As a result, a wide variety of sports exist, with some requiring hundreds of participants and others requiring only a few.
The competitive nature of sports encourages the use of performance-enhancing drugs. Additionally, the widespread betting on sports fixtures creates a motivation for match fixing.