Sport and leisure time

The enthusiasm for sport had an almost allegorical quality: it represented a transmission of imaginative ideas from higher to lower social levels. The deeper origins date back to the Enlightenment of the Seventeenth century and the attitude of mind that emphasized the power of reason, rationality and above all, individualism. To strive for success is precisely the motive that came to characterize and give shape to British sport.

Those who regarded sport in this way were appalled by the achievement-oriented Harold Abrahams, whose Jewish background guaranteed him marginal status in th early twentieth century, but whose uncommon zeal for winning drove him to an extraordinary policy. His story inspired a famous film in 1981: Chariots of Fire

England gave birth to several sports, above all football England gave birth to several sports, above all football. Although Italy claimed the sport had separate origins in the renaissance game: calcio. In 1904 seven European nations (France, Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and Switzerland came together to form the Fédération Internationale de football Association (FIFA). The growth of the organization posed little threat to English hegemony. At least not until after the II World War. But by the 1950 England eventually agreed to partecipate in the World Cup Competition. Fair play

The rising number of people flocking to some sport events invited the prospect of converting what were once leisurely activities played in the spirit of camaraderie into business. Gambling Betting on sport had been regulated in 1906 and 1921 introducing street betting shops. There is a lot of criticism against gambling.

Women and sport According to Pierre de Coubertin the founder of the modern Olympic games: “Sport is an exultation of male athleticism with female applause as a reward”. Women’s participation in sports was allowed for those sports which did not involved physical contact or collision, for instance golf, tennis, and motor-racing as such they were considered appropriate for ‘ladies’.

Females in sport were often regarded as tomboys and thought to lack femininity. Moreover, menstruation was regarded as a disabling prohibition. The situation significantly changed during the Second World War.

London Museums British Museum National Gallery Britain Tate Gallery

The Elgin Marbles Phidias 447-438 B.C.

The Ambassadors Hans Holbein (1533)

Dante Gabriel Rossetti Beata Beatrix Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1872)