Modern sports can trace their roots to the late 17th century, when the concept of a sports record emerged. After the Puritans pushed traditional pastimes underground, they gave way to more organized games. The Marylebone Cricket Club, founded in 1787, led the way in developing organized games. The club popularized cricket and encouraged rational competition. Since then, it has become a popular form of play across the world. In the nineteenth century, sports have grown to encompass a wide variety of activities, including athletics and rugby.
Although the aesthetic element remains in some sports, the emphasis on quantitative achievement is the norm nowadays. A clear example of the shift from Renaissance to modern sports can be found in the semantic definition of “measure.” Originally, the word measure connoted a sense of balance and proportion, but over time came to be used to refer to numerical measurements. In the 21st century, sports include a variety of sports that are played for fun. However, many people still have a strong emotional attachment to the competition and the competitive element.
While many types of activity fall under the definition of a sport, some may not be accepted as such. Golf and cheerleading are widely regarded as sports, while fishing and dancing are considered pastimes. Other activities that can be considered sports include motorsports, equestrian, and pole dancing. Regardless of whether it is a game or a pastime, most types of sports require physical exertion of both the participants and the horse.