SPORT'n a New Outlook

As an athlete, the concept of sports seems universal. But is it? While I would have to say yes, I believe there are a vast number of differences between American athletics and the athletics of other countries around the world. I would have to believe each culture, while unique in their cuisine and costumes, would also carry a unique take on sports. These truths become self-evident as cultures collide.

One distinguishing difference in sports is the place they hold in society. In America, athletics fill a tremendous void in healthy, positive entertainment (healthy and positive when coaches are not getting kicked out of the game and alcoholic beverages are not being advertised every other commercial.) If it weren't for sports, most men, and a large group of women, would sit without anything to watch on TV or venture to on the weekends. Is this true elsewhere? In developed countries, I believe so. In developing countries, not so much.

The next big regional difference in athletics is this issue: passion over pay, or pay over passion. Unfortunately today, the professional athletic circuits sweep up the best players in our nation (as they should). But in doing so, they also sweep up these players' passions and dump them into oblivion. The heart for the game is lost. The heart for the money is found. It floors me to think the top NFL pick for quarterback gets paid more than the president! Correct me if I am wrong, but I think this has gotten a little out of hand. When that kind of money is at stack, how can anyone's love for their sport not be distracted, or blinded, by alternative motives?? Can you say salary caps, please! Fortunately, this is no where close to being an issue in developing countries. I would like to think they have not been diseased by this waste of money. Likewise, without this ominous salary cloud hanging down, their passion is not washed away or diluted by the rains. It remains fiery and focused on fulfilling their love for the sport.


Thus far, the differences have been somewhat indirect. To address this matter directly, consider the sports themselves. In America, football is football. In Europe, football is soccer. At least these two sports, different in name, are familiar. Some cultures conduct serious sports, that when introduced to the typical American athlete, seem weirdly wacky. Try for example a game of tough love in Finland. Male competitors race through an obstacle course carrying a female teammate. The first couple to cross the finish line wins. The United Kingdom is famous for another rarity: toe wrestling. Dating back to 1976, toe wrestling is now a competitive sport. Unfortunately, the attempt to include the sport in the Olympics failed in 1997. Nevertheless, it remains quite popular in some countries around the world. Also in the UK, as well as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, is Octopush. Octopush is underwater hockey, where two teams compete underwater to maneuver a puck across the pool's bottom (with sticks) into their respective goals. I wonder where the spectators sit????......

In this light, the realm of sports bears thousands of opportunities for postive competitionm recreational fun, cultural exchange and interaction. But just as any good coach would preach, there shall be no spectators, only participators. So take your mark, get set, COLLIDE!

*Above: A game of Octopush in action. Image courtesy of Orkney Octopush.