Sports refers to activities or games, either performed individually or as a team, that require any combination of one or more of the components of fitness (speed, accuracy, coordination, balance, strength, etc.), and is governed or adjudicated by a set of rules, regulations, or customs, and are most often competitive. Sports are almost exclusively for the purpose of entertainment or leisure, in fact, the very word "sport" is derived from old French, meaning "leisure". Competitive sports or games have probably been played since the beginning of man's existence.
Etymology[]
- Origin: c.1400, "to take pleasure, to amuse oneself," from Anglo-Fr. disport, from O.Fr. desport "pastime, recreation, pleasure," from desporter "to divert, amuse, please, play" (see disport). Sense of "to amuse oneself by active exercise in open air or taking part in some game" is from c.1483.[1]