History
There are artefacts and structures that suggest that
the Chinese engaged in sporting activities as early
as 4000 BC.[1] Gymnastics appears to have been a popular
sport in China's ancient past. Monuments to the Pharaohs
indicate that a number of sports, including swimming
and fishing, were well-developed and regulated several
thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt.[2] Other
Egyptian sports included javelin throwing, high jump,
and wrestling. Ancient Persian sports such as the
traditional Iranian martial art of Zourkhaneh had
a close connection to the warfare skills.[3] Among
other sports that originate in Persia are polo and
jousting.
A wide range of sports were already established by
the time of Ancient Greece and the military culture
and the development of sports in Greece influenced
one another considerably. Sports became such a prominent
part of their culture that the Greeks created the
Olympic Games, which in ancient times were held every
four years in a small village in the Peloponnesus
called Olympia.[4]
Sports have been increasingly organized and regulated
from the time of the Ancient Olympics up to the present
century. Industrialization has brought increased leisure
time to the citizens of developed and developing countries,
leading to more time for citizens to attend and follow
spectator sports, greater participation in athletic
activities, and increased accessibility. These trends
continued with the advent of mass media and global
communication. Professionalism became prevalent, further
adding to the increase in sport's popularity, as sports
fans began following the exploits of professional
athletes through radio, television, and the internet--all
while enjoying the exercise and competition associated
with amateur participation in sports.
In the new millennium, new sports have been going
further from the physical aspect to the mental or
psychological aspect of competing. Cyber sports organizations
are becoming more and more popular.
Activities where the outcome is determined by judgement
over execution are considered performances, or competition.