Sports are generally governed by some sort of unwritten code or traditions, which ensure fair play, and enable consistent adjudication of the ultimate winner. In most sports, statistics of past performances are often maintained, and this data can be widely reported or publicly announced by the sports team, or the governing body. However, in sports where gambling is part of the betting, such as in horse racing and golf, the result is largely driven by passion and individual flair rather than public opinion. This means that the outcome of a game can be very unpredictable, even when betting has not yet been formally started. It is impossible to measure human reaction to such sporting events as clearly as the professional sport public speaking teams, whose duty it is to give the game every possible chance of winning. However, sometimes a small number of players can effect a great game, for example a top performing player being absent, or a change in the team line up.
We tend to think that sports reflect general health and fitness; in fact, a wide range of physical activities are frequently undertaken by recreational sports people who just enjoy the feeling of competing. For example, tennis, swimming and sprinting are all forms of physical activity that help build up and maintain good cardiovascular fitness – however, each sport requires its own particular skills and tactics to make it successful. The difference between squash and tennis, for example, is very minimal: the rules are the same, the surface the same and the point of winning the game is the same. Squash relies on the ‘buy-in’ from the squash community to ensure a fair game, while tennis can turn on a flop if one side has a better or different strategy. Therefore, no sports can be completely objective; sports are influenced by factors beyond the control of the athletes themselves.
Modern technology has also played a large part in the development of sports, and with the advent of video games such as ‘FIFA’and ‘Pro Cycling Manager’, sportspersons can participate in virtual worlds which imitates real-life competitive events. Video games also represent a perfect avenue for sports enthusiasts to improve their physical activities through exercise. The only thing is to choose games that are suited to your own level of skill. If you think you have what it takes, then go ahead and prove yourself!