There are several classifications of sports. Most are defined by a set of rules and customs. These help ensure fair competition and consistent adjudication of the winner. The rules of sports can be based on physical events or by the judgement of judges who score different aspects of the performance. In this way, participants can learn more about each sport.
In addition to the many types of modern sports, there are many ancient sports. Some of the most popular ancient sports were ball games. They were played by ancient peoples such as the Chinese and Aztecs. Some were competitive or performed for ritual purposes. These were considered ancient sports during the period of Greek and Roman antiquity, and they were adopted by school systems in Britain, America, and Japan. Many other ancient civilizations also incorporated ball games into their culture. The Greek physician Galen recommended these games as good for health.
Today’s global sports are part of a broader process of globalization, which can be described as the development of a global network of interdependencies. The 20th century saw the growth of a global economy, transnational cosmopolitan cultures, and a number of international social movements. Today, people, images, and money travel at much faster speeds than in previous centuries. In addition, the rise of modern technology has greatly increased the globalization of sports.
Today, sports are also a way to express national identity. They use nostalgia, invented traditions, flags, anthems, ceremonies, and more to create a sense of belonging. Moreover, they expose people to other cultures, which strengthens cosmopolitanism and feeds ethnic defensiveness. For example, cricket in South Asia has an imperial past and a postcolonial present. Nevertheless, it has become a symbol of national identity and has developed unique attributes that distinguish it from other sports.