Sport: Difference between revisions
imported>Catherine Woodgold (Hi, Larry. Adding my $0.02. Feel free to modify/revert/whatever. Merging last sentence from 1st paragraph into next; adding link to "exercise" article; discussing definition of "sports".) |
imported>Daniel Mietchen (+chess) |
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A sport may be either ''individual'' (as in [[Tennis]]) or in groups (e.g., two players may form a ''doubles'' team in Tennis) or as a Team (e.g., the [[Davis Cup]] in Tennis is played among nations where usually there are four singles matches and a doubles match between two teams. A typical ''team'' game is [[football]]. | A sport may be either ''individual'' (as in [[Tennis]]) or in groups (e.g., two players may form a ''doubles'' team in Tennis) or as a Team (e.g., the [[Davis Cup]] in Tennis is played among nations where usually there are four singles matches and a doubles match between two teams. A typical ''team'' game is [[football]]. | ||
There are games where a single player may play without another player. An example is [[Solitaire]] (American English) [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Card_Games/Shedding_and_Accumulating/Solitaire/], [http://www.researchchannel.org/prog/displayevent.aspx?rID=1986] or [[Patience]] (British English) played with [[cards]]. Requiring mental rather than physical exertion, such games are not usually referred to as "sports". A solitary physical activity without competition, such as jogging, may be called exercise or recreation rather than a "sport". | There are games where a single player may play without another player. An example is [[Solitaire]] (American English) [http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Card_Games/Shedding_and_Accumulating/Solitaire/], [http://www.researchchannel.org/prog/displayevent.aspx?rID=1986] or [[Patience]] (British English) played with [[cards]]. Requiring mental rather than physical exertion, such games are not usually referred to as "sports", but [[chess]] and similar [[game of strategy|games of strategy]] often are. A solitary physical activity without competition, such as jogging, may be called exercise or recreation rather than a "sport". | ||
Revision as of 07:53, 6 August 2008
A sport is an activity that involves skill and physical exertion and that is governed by a generally accepted set of rules and guidelines. Traditionally, the outcome of any such activity has a clear winner and loser as defined by the rules that govern that particular sport. The reasons that people engage in such activities vary but usually include a desire for competition, a wish to display one's skill and proficiency, and to engage in exercise.
As well as serving as a form of recreation for those engaged in the activity, sports are often a form of entertainment for far more spectators than participants, often run and promoted as a business. In these professional organizations, participants are paid for their participation in the sport. Spectators, in turn, pay for admission to view the event at an arena, stadium, or other such venue. Also, further revenues are generated through the various advertisers who may sponsor a Trophy or a Team or different sports gears.
A sport may be either individual (as in Tennis) or in groups (e.g., two players may form a doubles team in Tennis) or as a Team (e.g., the Davis Cup in Tennis is played among nations where usually there are four singles matches and a doubles match between two teams. A typical team game is football.
There are games where a single player may play without another player. An example is Solitaire (American English) [1], [2] or Patience (British English) played with cards. Requiring mental rather than physical exertion, such games are not usually referred to as "sports", but chess and similar games of strategy often are. A solitary physical activity without competition, such as jogging, may be called exercise or recreation rather than a "sport".