INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

As can be seen from the above quotes sport plays at least two very
important roles: first it enables to discover the true nature of both an
individual and a nation. Secondly, it gives the feeling of participation
in something important, even "heroic and mythical" as Richard Holt
called it. Moreover, according to other scholars who studied sport as a
part of culture, e.g. John Hargreaves, "it provides meaningful activity
for individuals by allowing them to express themselves and to acquire
stable personal identities, thereby integrating them into the structure of
society and it stabilizes the social order by reinforcing common norms
and values" (Hargreaves 1986: 2).
Throughout the centuries people, sometimes unconsciously, took
part in various activities which had been designed to develop the body
and the spirit. Beginning with the ancient Olympic Games in Greece
through gladiatorial fights in the Roman Empire, tournaments and
jousts in the Middle Ages, different sporting meetings, e.g. Robert
Dover's "Olimpick Games" or Willam Penny Brookes Wenlock
Games to the revival of the Olympic Games in 19 th century. These
examples show that although the ancient Olympic Games ceased to be
celebrated the spirit of competition and the Olympic thought survived,
especially in England. The truthfulness of this claim is clearly visible
if one considers the examples of similar meetings, which were the
result of a specific intellectual climate that prevailed in England
throughout the centuries.
In order to fully comprehend what it meant to practice any sport in
England it is crucial to consider briefly the conditions which led to the
publication of "Declaration of Sports" in 1618 by James I. Sport had
long been held in a very high esteem - it provided entertainment and,
simultaneously, was very useful in keeping the populace in good
shape in case of war. In this document the King ordered not to forbid
the people to take part in any games as long as it happened after the
Sunday services. Dennis Brailsford (1969) has noticed: "the day's
work and the week's work were both long, Sundays and church
festivals being the only breaks available for amusement" (Brailsford
1969:52). It was fairly easy to participate in any kind of this activity,
as it did not involve any serious preparation or any special equipment.
Moreover, it could include as many participants as were able to enter.
There were many season festivals held at that time: May games,
Whitsun games, Wakes, Church-ales or different fairs to name only
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