We with a discussion on the photo of Manny Pacquiao just after his victory over Ricky Hatton. Our participation in sport is mirrored in the image of that unknown guy in a track suit seemingly ecstatic just to be in the proximity of the victory.
When we watch sports, we tend to gloss over some important questions. In the example of Pacquiao’s victory, people rarely realize the amount of force he unloads on an opponent’s face with a single punch. Such force can potentially be lethal and the amount of training and money that went into giving a man the ability to deliver something so deadly does not give any of the viewers of the sporting event any cause for concern. Other questions that remain unasked include the concern over handing over millions of dollars to teenagers (in sports such as basketball and football) and expecting them to thrive under pressure and mature, as well as questions over the millions spent in stadiums and other sporting events that are not technically productive. Another forgotten question is the participation of women in more violent sports, where their relative physical frailty leaves them vulnerable.
The reason we, as spectators of sports, ignore these questions is that sports allow us access to a collective human experience that lifts both the participants and the observers of the event. Sport used to be something done in preparation for war. While the age of almost constant warfare is now a thing of the past, the spirit of collective glory which drove so many to participate in war never left. The desire to belong to a side in a physical struggle is still strong, especially in men. This is why some men are so fanatically devoted to their sports teams, or to certain athletes.
Sports also bring about an appreciation of the capabilities of the human body. Pushing the limits of endurance, strength and speed causes both a sense of exhilaration and a sense of accomplishment that draw many people into the experience. Watching a human being defy the limitations of the human body makes it seem that humanity as a whole has defied the odds.
Practicing a sport can also provide a lifetime of personal growth and experience, be it as a constant pursuit of perfection or as a hobby. It allows man to both test himself and bond with others who are similarly testing themselves, creating a feeling of kinship with these people and those who wish to learn from them.
In conclusion, a deeper look at sports invites the asking of certain questions. But most people participate in sports for the sheer human experience it offers, which transcends the rational questioning that can accompany such unusual human activities.
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