History and Sports
Many history classes focus on the typical historical events and themes that have helped to shape society today. However, one aspect of society’s history that is often forgotten, that should be addressed in order to better understand society, is sports culture. The popular sports that the people in a particular society or culture favor are often reflective of certain values that are important to them. Additionally, sports can also give people a platform from which they can express their pride, freedom, and power. During international competitions national pride is often a factor that inspires athletes to work hard and defeat their opponents. There are also instances where international competitions have enabled athletes to come together and help demonstrate international cooperation. Sports history is valuable when studying about different cultures because it allows students of history to gain a more nuanced understanding of the world. Incorporating sports into the s