The Greeks were the original ESPN. They were masters of the
pageantry of sport, and, by elevating sport from not just an amusing pastime but
also an integral part of their religion, the Greeks deified kicking, punching,
throwing, and running. Any athlete, myself included, who has played a sport sub-consciously
reveres the best of the best. We may not say it, but LeBron is an American god.
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| Fishing is a sport, right? |
Of course, as a student at BYU I’m not saying that I worship
idols or false gods, but as an athlete I watch what some people can do and sit
there in awe. All during high school, I ran track and cross-country. I was a
self-described “above average” runner. I always ran in championship meets and I
often scored points for my team. But when I watch the Olympics, it’s as if I’m
watching the Greek gods, for all their power and imperfection, duke it out for
that prized olive branch wreath. It’s not a coincidence that people who play
sports feel that same spirit of competition, or that people who zealously
follow sports teams are essentially participating in the cult of Zeus (think
Fantasy Football). Sports are a beautiful thing, and we owe it to the Greeks.
Learn more about the games here:http://www.olympic.org/ancient-olympic-games
I never thought how the sports we play could be attributed to the Greeks. I myself am not a sporty person, but when we think about where this huge form of entertainment comes from, for the viewer and athlete, it is quite and amazing concept. I was in pep band in high school, and would watch many sports games. I was always amazed at what these athletes could do.
ReplyDeleteThink about if the Ancient Olympics were never created.... I wonder if Sports as they are today would still be the same? I think that human beings have a natural desire to 1) Compete with each other and 2) To be entertained. So I'm sure sports would still exist but I'm sure that they would not exist as we know it today without the influence of the Greeks!
ReplyDeleteFor a while i would get frustrated at the amount of money and time that went into professional sports. I just didn't see the point. But like you said, I can now sit and watch these athletes in amazement. I feel the Greeks understood and respected athletic talent much better than us.
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