Published on 12, July, 2020
I hate sport, all sport, I don't like competition or see whats so good about it, why it has to dominate so much air time, rugby is practically a religion in Wales with football not far behind. I dont' like wearing uniforms, I'm not a uniform person. I intensely dislike getting hot and sweaty too. I swim like a brick and the best bit of skiing I ever managed was backwards.
Can someone please explain to me whats so good about sport and competition?
It gives people something to look forward to, enjoy and talk about with like minded folk. We all need entertainment, and sport is mostly no worse than any other form of that.
Personally, I find anything raising my heart rate scary so I don't actually do any sports, but I love watching cycling. The beautiful scenery, the relaxing smooth motion of it, the distraction from my problems for a while.
I look forward to the programs that get cancelled and moved about due to sport. I'd say sport is worse than other forms of entertainment, with the possible exception of musical theatre, because of the ubiquity of it and the attitudes of people who do enjoy it, why should someone winning an olympic medal make me proud just because we're from the same country, I've been called unpatriotic because of this, that totally floored me, why am I unpatriotic?
Or sport is better than many forms of entertainment because the ubiquity of it shows that it brings joy to countless millions. Maybe someone's favourite show got cancelled because it didn't get as many viewers as yours; broadcast TV is a zero sum game. (Also musical theatre is sometimes amazing).
I'm very much with you on the second part though. I couldn't care less if the gold medal athlete in the heptathlon is British or American or Nigerian. I root for whoever appeals to me, not whoever has the same kind of passport as me. Patriotism/nationalism is not a net positive force in our world, in sport or otherwise.
It would make no difference if I removed the Nation aspect, I couldn't do what they do and I wouldn't want to, would they celebrate the things I do well as much as we're all expected to celebrate them?
Or maybe if you removed the nation aspect of it, I think it's worth celebrating someone has an exceptional talent and skill for something. I certainly couldn't do what the gold medalists do. Or the silver or bronze!