The origins of modern sports date back to the late 17th century in England. In this period, the concept of measuring sporting performance emerged. The Puritans had banished traditional pastimes and drove them underground, but sports became organized under the leadership of the Marylebone Cricket Club. Founded in 1787, the club led the development of cricket and rationalized competition.
Sports are generally governed by rules and customs, which ensure fair competition and consistent adjudication of a winner. Some sports rely on judges to score elements of a sporting performance, whereas others use objective or subjective measures to decide the winner. For example, in the 100 metre race, Usain Bolt broke the world record in the race.
Throughout history, sports have played a critical role in American society. In addition to transmitting values such as fair play, justice, and teamwork, they also play an important role in racial and social integration. For centuries, sports have been the social glue that holds a community together. Historically, many early Americans stressed the need for physical activity and promoted physical activity, including sports. Even during the 20th century, American presidents emphasized the importance of physical activity.
Today, global sports have emerged as an extension of the globalization of society. Globalization is the process of integrating various social and economic systems into a single global economy. During the 20th century, this process brought about the rise of a transnational cosmopolitan culture and the emergence of international social movements. With modern technology, people, money, and images can travel more rapidly than ever before. Because of these interwoven patterns, global sports have also become increasingly international.