Sports are usually governed either by a governing body or a set of unwritten rules, which effectively serve to ensure fair play, and enable consistent adjudication of a winner. In most organised sports, records of past performance are also frequently kept, and for less popular sports, this data can be openly announced or revealed in sports reporting. Thus, in addition to providing entertainment, sports also serve an important educational role by allowing us to learn more about ourselves and our fellow humans.
There are many different types of sports. The four main sports we know of are ice hockey, swimming, field events such as running and cycling, rowing and sailing. As mentioned, there are countless other different types of sports that can be recognized by the word ‘sport’. Some sports vary greatly from the rest; for example, rowing and sailing are two entirely different sports, with vastly different objectives and settings. However, they are both widely accepted as being part of the Olympic sports; perhaps the most prestigious event in sports today!
Ice Hockey and Ice Skating are two very popular Olympic sports. Ice Hockey involves using an ice-cold metal stick to hit a ball, either back and forth, or side to side; the objective is to knock the ball into the opponent’s net. Ice skating differs from hockey in that it doesn’t involve using any kind of stick. Instead, skaters move gracefully on their skates, shifting weight and changing direction at will. Ice skates have evolved significantly since their introduction to the Olympic Games, becoming lighter and more sophisticated; they are now amongst the most technologically advanced ice sports equipment available.
Cycling and Cross-country skiing are both considered to be endurance sports; therefore, they both involve quite a bit of physical activity and exertion. The objective of Cycling is to complete the race without consuming any calories or using up any oxygen. This type of sport is excellent for people who want to build up their aerobic (cardio) capacity, as it not only provides an intense exercise but also allows you to increase your heart rate throughout the exercise. In terms of cross-country skiing, it requires the skater to climb a course and cycle efficiently between jumps; this increases both the speed and the distance covered. Both of these sports are particularly popular amongst the sports enthusiasts because of the excellent benefits they provide to the participant; improving cardiovascular fitness and enhancing the resistance training they receive.
As mentioned above, both of these sports involve a great deal of sprinting and jumping – if you’re up for one of these intense sports, be sure to come prepared! Agility is a competitive physical activity in which two teams race against each other, trying to complete a course within the time limits. The aim of the game is for the team to get to the finish line first; the game is often won by the team that completes the shortest route to the finish line. The sport of Agility has gained popularity recently, but it has been in existence for hundreds of years, so it is not a new concept.
Another example of a physically demanding sport is running. The term “running” implies that there is contact of the feet, but the sport of running actually involves many different types of activity. Although it is the quickest way to get from point A to point B, it does not necessarily involve running at a fast pace, as some people would believe. Instead, the sport of running involves several activities including jogging, cycling, triathlon, swimming, track running and ultra-marathoning. The various activities are designed to challenge the individual’s endurance, speed, balance and coordination. These sports require a lot of mental and physical strength, especially for the male competitors.
Judo is another example of a sport that entails both physical and mental strength, but requires skill as well. It is not actually a sport in itself, but a combination of all the above mentioned sports. Judo is the oldest form of the art of fighting. In judo, the competitor uses both hands and feet, along with their head, to take down their opponent. The competitor can use various techniques to cause the opponent to be disabled or to submit. It has gained popularity among women, as it enables them to learn self-defense techniques.
There are several other sports that fit into the badminton, gymnastics and table tennis categories. These sports require specialized equipment and skills and are popular in colleges and gyms across the country. In order to set up a sports club, check if your local college or gym has badminton, table tennis, fencing and any other sports. If they do, try to get them signed up as a team.
