International order is a common feature of the modern world. Nations are grouped into core, peripheral, and semiperipheral blocs based on politics, economics, and culture. For example, the core sports world includes the United States, Russia, Australia, and South Korea. The semiperipheral sphere includes India, China, and many other countries. All these countries participate in international sports competitions, but they are not part of the core bloc.
As a result, there are countless definitions of sports. Many different cultures have their own ideas of what makes a sport. The most useful definitions are those that clarify the difference between sport and play. The former is an activity with its own purpose and goals, while the latter is a voluntary endeavor. Whether or not professional athletes compete is a separate issue. Sports are physical contests and competitions that involve teams, individuals, and organizations competing for victory.
Globalization has changed the way that sports are conducted. For example, the Soviet bloc was outcompeting Western countries for years. Then, major Western nations began creating state-sponsored athletics programs. Meanwhile, poorer nations could not afford to allocate resources to athletics, and the Soviets were unable to compete effectively on the world stage. So, the modern world of sports has a diverse set of identities and body cultures. But, the question is: What happens when global flows converge?
In the late 17th century, in England, sports began to take on a more organized form. They began to incorporate scientific methods and record keeping into the practice of competing in organized games. This led to the creation of sports records and rationalized competition. The Marylebone Cricket Club, founded in 1787, was a leading force in developing organized games. There, they created the first cricket game and the concept of competition. If we think of sports as a part of modern society, we can see how important sports are to the world.
