Sport is among the platforms that mankind has historically harnessed to promote unity, harmony and collaboration. From the Olympics to the World Cup, there are dozens of different sporting programs that bring together individuals from a variety of national, ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. In fact, some of the progress that the world has made in enhancing unity and cooperation can be attributed to sport. An examination of the history of sport reveals that it has witnessed tremendous change. A number of forces are responsible for this transformation. These forces include globalization, nationalism and industrialization. As a result of these factors, modern sport is wildly different from how sport was conducted in ancient times. On the one hand, modern sport is defined by elaborate governance, increasing involvement of the state, commercialization and the media playing a critical role in broadcasting sporting events. On the other hand, in the past, sport played a largely cultural role and was mostly the initiative of individuals who were driven by shared passions and acting without necessarily obtaining government sanction or support.
In order to fully understand how modern and ancient sports are different, it is helpful to begin with an examination of why one should reflect on the distinction between the two eras of sport. This reflection is important as it allows one to recognize the progress that mankind has made. The differences between modern and ancient sport shows that sport is among the elements of the human experience that have kept up with changes. Additionally, by exploring how modern and ancient sports are different, it is possible to identify the key lessons that can be gained from ancient sport. For example, as will be shown in a later section, in the past, sport was an individual initiative. People did not rely on elaborate structures or the government. Instead, they understood that to derive meaning and fulfilment from sport, they needed to demonstrate personal initiative.
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Role of the State
The role that the state played is among the issues that distinguish modern and ancient sport. As opposed to the past when sport was supported almost entirely by individuals and small groups, modern sport is a key program that is funded and supported by governments. In his text, Szymansky (2006) highlights the increasingly central role that governments are playing in sport. Giving special focus to sport in the West, Szymansky notes that “ In Britain and the United States stemmed precisely from their liberal approach to formation of voluntary associations, in contrast to Germany and France where such associations tended to be regulated by the state” (p. 3). Here, while he acknowledges that private organizations are still involved in sport, Szymansky also makes it clear that governments are more visible and active in the management, funding, support and regulation of sport. On the other hand, the role of the state in ancient sport was rather limited. This is according to Markovits (2015) who established that the most important point here remains completely voluntary nature of these clubs and their complete independence from any of the authorities”. There is no question that unlike modern sport which is closely linked to the government, ancient sport was more independent and driven by individual private initiatives.
In addition to supporting sport, modern governments are also establishing teams. This is another issue that sets modern sport from how it was performed in ancient times. In a bid to show that modern sport has evolved and created room for greater government involvement, Markovitz and Rensmann (2010) report that “Ahu Dhabi’s ruling family purchased Manchester United” (p. 15). The government of Abu Dhabi represents many other authorities that have a significant stake in sport teams and programs. The involvement of governments in the organization of global sporting events and the role that nationalism plays are other issues which underscore the changes that modern sport has undergone. For example, today, governments work together to ensure that such sporting events as the Olympics and the World Cup are executed successfully. Additionally, each government supports its team while encouraging citizens to lend support as well. The situation in the past was different. As already noted, there were no direct ties between the government and sport.
Organization and Structure
How they are organized and structured is another way that modern and ancient sports are different. On the one hand, modern sport is characterized by elaborate structures and complex organization (Professor Markovitz, Lecture 3). For example, such organizations as FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are among the organizations that are in charge of sports today. These organizations are highly sophisticated and have a presence across the globe. On the other hand, ancient sports’ organization and structure was rather loose and informal (Professor Markovitz, Lecture 3). It has already been established that individuals formed small private organizations through which they managed sporting activities. The difference in the organization of modern and ancient sport highlights the impact of such factors as globalization. In the past, there was little collaboration among different nations. This has changed since today, nations are joining forces to pursue issues of shared interest. To ensure that the collaborative sport partnerships that nations establish run smoothly, proper and elaborate organization was required. For example, it would be nearly impossible for the world to organize such events as the World Cup without the involvement of organizations like FIFA. Therefore, the structure and organization of modern sport reflects the geopolitical state of the modern world.
It is true that governments are the main bodies which are involved in shaping the structure and organization of modern sport. However, one should understand that private entities are also playing a crucial role. For example, the European Premier League is dominated by football clubs which are owned and managed by private organizations. In the United States, sport is a critical component of education. Nearly all educational institutions have invested effort and resources into some form of sport. For example, football and baseball are common sports in American colleges. On the issue of private involvement, ancient and modern sport are similar. However, the difference is found in the complexity and degree of involvement. For example, as has been made clear already, in ancient times, individuals consolidated their effort to establish private clubs through which sport was organized and managed. On the other hand, today, educational institutions and private organizations with massive budges and bureaucratic processes are heavily involved in sport. Therefore, modern and ancient sports are vastly distinct.
Links to Culture
Culture is yet another issue that combines with the factors identified above to distinguish modern and ancient sport. Whereas ancient sport had strong and direct ties to culture, modern sport has severed its association with culture and is mostly focused on intense competition and rivalry. In his discussion on the evolution that sport has undergone, Guttman (1978) recognized the influence that culture had on ancient sport. He suggested that ancient sport was used as a tool for reflecting the social order of communities: Particular kinds of games are highly significant, and can, therefore be related to the nature of social order” (p. 11). Here, Guttman essentially indicates that in the past, communities relied on sport to convey messages about social structures. For example, men and women played different sports as a reflection of the different roles that they played and the positions that they occupied. While it is true that modern sport is also segregated in terms of gender, the separation of men and women serves a different purpose. Today, this segregation is intended to ensure fairness and eliminate unfair advantages (Professor Markovits, Lecture 3). Guttman is not isolated in linking ancient sport to culture. Tomlinson, Markovits and Young (2003), also found that ancient sport had its roots in culture. They discussed how sport is deeply ingrained in American culture: “ in the formative period of American nation-building, three virtually characteristic American sports took shape: baseball, American football, and basketball” (p. 1469). Tomlinson and his colleagues essentially acknowledge that the US is established on a heritage of sport.
Apart from reflecting social order, ancient sport also served a religious purpose. For example, in ancient Greece, sport was harnessed as a tool for expressing reverence and devotion to deities. A scrutiny of modern sport reveals that it no longer serves this purpose. It would be surprising to find a sport team which engages in intense exercise and participates in competitive games as part of worship to some deity. Whereas it remains true that modern sport is largely secular, an argument can be made that there is some indirect and loose association between modern sport and religion. This association can be seen in the deep devotion and passionate commitment that fans commit to their teams. There have been numerous cases of fans engaging in extreme behaviors as a demonstration of the level of their dedication. These behaviors shed light on the religion-like influences of modern sport. As was the case with ancient sport, modern sport also elicits strong emotional responses and connections. However, unlike ancient sport which had religious foundations, modern sport remains primarily secular.
Commercialization of Sport
Commerce has found its way into virtually all aspects of human life. Sport has been unable to escape the influence of this commerce. Today, the heavy commercialization of sport has made it virtually indistinguishable from its state in the past. From the huge payments that sports men and women receive to the intense marketing initiatives that are launched to promote sport, there are various elements that represent the growing influence of big money. In the United States, footballers, baseball players and other individuals involved in sport earn huge amounts. Bottenburg (2011) is among the scholars who have highlighted the influence of commerce on modern sport. In his text, he focuses mostly on how educational institutions in the US are exploiting sport as a commercial tool. According to Bottenburg, “ In the United States, an educational-commercial configuration has become predominant “(p. 209). Through this statement, Bottenburg confirms that the US is gradually moving away from the recreation-based approach to sport. Instead, the nation is allowing capitalist influences to shape sports. The situation in the US is replicated across the globe where sport has emerged to become one of the most lucrative industries. In addition to the massive payments that they receive, sports personalities are also involved in lucrative endorsements and are venturing into highly profitable endeavors. The situation today is a significant and sharp departure from the state of affairs in the past when sport was primarily used to worship deities, mark special occasions and foster unity among communities.
Competition and Rivalry
This far, the discussion has presented and supported the claim that there are numerous and important differences that set modern and ancient sport apart. To ensure that the discussion is balanced and comprehensive, it is important to acknowledge that there are a number of noteworthy similarities that are common to both modern and ancient sport. Competition and rivalry are among the features that the two eras share with regard to how sport was performed. Today, competition in sport can be seen in the intensity and aggression with which teams compete ((Professor Markovits, Lecture 5). For example, football teams compete with the understanding that there is much at stake. The competition is most evident in nations where sport is popular and commands massive following. Another area where competition and rivalry are exhibited is contests among nations. In such sports as football, nations strongly encourage their citizens to rally behind national teams. In fact, in regions like Europe, football fans have engaged in physical altercations and fierce arguments that are fueled by sport. The rivalry that defines sport today mirrors the situation in ancient times. As is the case today, ancient sport teams also competed intensely. Immense focus was placed on winning (Lecture 3). An important distinction that should be made is that modern sport ensures that all participants have equal opportunity. However, equal outcomes are not guaranteed. Therefore, sport has not undergone much change in regard to the level of competition and rivalry among teams and their fans.
Role of Fostering Unity and Community
Given that modern and ancient sports were defined by rivalries and stiff competition, one would expect that as teams competed, enmity and hostility arose. Fortunately, this expectation is not consistent with reality. Instead of giving rise to hostility and strained relations, both modern and ancient sports fostered unity and community (Professor Markovits, Lecture 4). In the past, sport created opportunities for individuals and communities from different backgrounds to interact and establish friendly ties. This is still the case today. For example, every four years, countries from across the globe come together to celebrate the beauty of the human spirit through sport. The connections that fans develop with their teams also highlight the function that sport plays to bolster unity and community. Scenes of fans breaking down when their teams lose serve to spotlight the deep emotional attachments to their teams. While there is little evidence that indicates that communities in the past were able to develop similarly passionate connections, it is difficult to deny that ancient sport also brought communities together. The level of teamwork and collaboration among team members is further indication that sport has a unifying effect. In ancient times, individuals were able to combine their effort and be united with shared interest. Thus, one can conclude that sport continues to unite mankind and is an effective tool for resolving differences.
In conclusion, sport continues to have an enduring influence on mankind. Across the globe, communities come together to demonstrate friendship through sport. The function that sport plays as a unifier is not new. Even in ancient times, sport persuaded communities to abandon their differences. While its impact of unity has remained unchanged, modern sport is virtually unrecognizable from ancient sport. Unlike today where sport is highly organized and complex, ancient sport was rather basic. Additionally, ancient sport enjoyed little support or attention from the government. It is important to recognize the transformation that sport has undergone so as to appreciate the increasingly important function that it serves today. If mankind truly wishes to receive the greatest benefit from sport, it should eliminate such negative elements as commercialization and give greater focus to collaboration and teamwork.
References
Bottenburg, M. (2011). Why are European and American sport worlds so different? Path-dependence in European and American history. In Tomlinson, A., Young, C., & Holt, R. (Eds.). Transformation of modern Europe: states, media and markets 1950-2010. London: Routledge.
Guttman, A. (1978). From ritual to record. The nature of modern sports. New York: Columbia University Press.
Markovits, A. S., & Rensmann, L. (2010). Gaming the world: how sports are reshaping global politics and culture. Princeton University Press.
Markovits, A. S. (2015). Sports as a major cultural construct in the advanced industrial world at the beginning of the 21st century: a historical and comparative perspective. Buttenheim: Levi-Strauss-Museum Buttenheim.
Szymanski, S. (2006). A theory of the evolution of modern sport.” International Association of Sports Economists.
Tomlinson, A., Markovits, A. S., & Young, C. (2003). Mapping sports space. American Behavioral Scientist, 46(11), 1463-75.
