INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

Introduction
(Activity, Sport, Culture and Ethics)
There is no doubt that humans are the most superior creatures in
the world but despite of their abilities and potentialities they have
various needs. Humans are multi-dimensional creatures having
physical, psychological and spiritual aspects. We can divide their
needs into two categories:
a) Physiological demands including: need to water, oxygen, food,
reproduction etc. Also, one of the most important
physiological demands is the need to movement and physical
activity. Human life starts with activity (movement of sperm
toward ovum), continues with activity and finishes with
inactivity. These activities can be considered as a spectrum
from microscopic (cell movement) to macroscopic (hand
movement) activities, from fundamental (walking) to advanced
(sport skills) activities.
The stone-age humans had to carry out some simple
movements like running, jumping, throwing, etc in order to
find food to remain alive and escape from dangers. In this
period, those who were more intelligent and stronger had more
opportunity to survive.
With the passing of time and increasing knowledge of human
health, these elementary movements became more regular and
systematic. Little by little physical activities were converted
into a tool for entertainment and leisure. Rules were
established and consequently sports emerged.
b) Non-physiological demands including: tenderness, kindness,
respect, self-confidence, self-esteem, etc.
Surprisingly, physical activities can satisfy both of these demands.
Therefore they can promote human dignities and ethical principles.
We can also find Ethics and Culture in sport and physical
activities especially in people’s religious belief. According to
historians, sport arose as a religion rite. For example, in Japan, sumo
wrestling was among the earliest sports. As in China, it initially had a
religious connection to martial arts. Also, in the ancient times people
had Gods for great phenomena. They gathered to worship and they
- 449 -