The emotional component of sports is not only important in the actual game, but also in the way it is perceived by participants and observers. The feelings an athlete experiences are an expression of his or her self-evaluation of his or her performance, as well as their perception of others’ reactions to the game. These feelings may occur before the game, during the game, or even afterward. Some sports have specific rules for managing athletes’ emotions, such as appropriate behavior during the national anthem or postgame victory celebrations.
Whether it is a game or a social activity, any type of physical activity can benefit people in various ways. It can improve a person’s overall fitness and improve his or her ability to engage in similar activities in the future. It can even be an avenue for social connection and competitiveness among players of different levels.
Sports have long been connected to mass media, and the relationship between the two has evolved over time. As mass media grew and expanded in scope and reached a wider audience, sports grew in popularity, drawing increasing numbers of paying spectators. As a result, commercial mass media began to view sports coverage as an inexpensive source of content and a good way to attract an audience for advertisements. Meanwhile, public and state media saw sporting events as a way to boost national culture and patriotism.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the international sports order has evolved significantly. Today, countries compete in a range of sports and are grouped into core, peripheral and semi-peripheral blocs according to economic, political, and cultural characteristics.