⚽Sports, sports in my life

SPORT is a game, competition or activity, outdoors or indoors, that requires physical effort and skill,
and usually occurs according to rules.

Some people say that sport is a physical activity, with rules, that people do to get ahead of their
opponents, while others may understand sport as organized spontaneous exercises or games, or as a
competitive or non-competitive process through which a person acquires physical skills, mental
relaxation and bodily fitness.

Sport gives people enjoyment, happiness, friendship, satisfaction, health, fitness, popularity, the
feeling of victory and success, but on the other hand, it may be boring, cause sadness,
disappointment, fatigue, exhaustion, injuries, illness, and in some cases even death.

Sport can be categorized from various standpoints. We can distinguish various categories in sport
activities:

the sport facility or environment used: for example indoor sports, outdoor sports, water sports,
underwater sports, air sports, sports on the ice, track and field events in athletics, street sports,
school sport.

the equipment or gear used: for example racquet sports/ games, cycling sports, skiing sports, motor
sports, ball games, goal games, horse riding, shooting sports.

the number of participants: individual sport, team sport.

the (gender) of participants: men’s sport, women’s sport.

the age of participants: sport of children, junior sport, senior sport.

the required courage, physical activity and highly specialized equipment: extreme sports, action
sports, adrenaline sports.

the usual, typical or prevailing season of practising the sport: summer sports, winter sports, all-season
sports.

the regional criteria: local sport, regional sport, national sport, traditional sport, Olympic sport,
worldwide/ global sports.

the importance, popularity and publicity in media: major sports, minor sports.

the way of performance: contact sports, combat sports, Martial arts.

Besides taking an active part in sport, it is also possible just to watch sport events as a spectator or TV
watcher, or to play the pools, which means to bet money on certain sport results. Spectators can be
one of the income sources for sport clubs too. However, there are many problems with different
groups of fans who arrive at stadiums, especially those that support particular football clubs. Some
groups are called Hooligans.

Recreational sport is also called sport for all and is done for various purposes, but mainly for fun and
entertainment in leisure time. An increasing number of people are becoming health-conscious and do
recreational sport activities and various keep-fit exercises to maintain or improve their physical as
well as mental fitness and health, to affect their flexibility, to strengthen their muscles and shape the
body, to delay ageing symptoms. Some people desire to learn new skills or experience new feelings
through sport activities. Some people might have social reasons for their participation in sport
including the need of integration, friendship, team work, support, recognition.
Competitive sport is done mainly for performance, for achieving good results in competitions,
defeating opponents and becoming the winner or record holder. People who do competitive sport
train hard and regularly and participate in various forms of competition. They are organised and
belong to different sport teams, clubs, associations or federations. The highest level of competitive
sport is elite sport (top performance sport). Elite athletes must sacrifice almost everything to their
sport. It lasts many years to become an excellent sportsman. Such a process means years of hard
everyday training, effort and drudgery, years of pain and stress as well. Financial and social
background is a necessity. Elite athletes are often professionals who make living through sport. They
follow principles of sport training to make progress, including various regeneration programmes. The
elite sport is linked with a serious problem – doping, the use of illegal substances to improve
performance.

Professional sport is a paid form of participation in sport events. Professional athletes make living
through sport, do sport as a job, are paid to compete in sport. Winning and success are the most
important things. The more successful professionals are, the more money they earn. They sign
contracts with different organisations or firms, have to train properly, participate in competitions,
promote the employer or his/her products, take part in press conferences.

Officials are people who conduct competitions, assess performances of competitors, referee games,
decide the result of a competition. They are called different names, such as referees, judges, or
umpires. The referee is used in connection with for example basketball, boxing, football, hockey,
rugby and wrestling. The umpire acts in badminton, baseball, cricket, swimming, tennis, and
volleyball. There is a panel of judges in sports like gymnastics or figure skating.

Competitions have various forms with respect to particular sport areas. We speak about races in
athletics, cycling or skiing, players and teams play matches, participate in tournaments, leagues, or
cups, horse riders or motor-bikers have their trophies, windsurfers, yachtsmen and rowmen take part
in regattas, boxers fight in bouts, the name combat or contest is used in some combat sports. Major
competitions are called championships.

Sports have been an integral part of human civilization for centuries. From ancient times to the
modern era, sports have played a significant role in shaping societies, promoting physical fitness, and
fostering a sense of community. Whether it is a team sport or an individual pursuit, sports have the
power to captivate and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.

Sports play a significant role in different countries around the world. They not only provide
entertainment and recreation but also serve as a means of promoting national identity, and
showcasing cultural diversity.

In the United States, sports are deeply ingrained in the national fabric. American football, basketball,
baseball, and ice hockey are the most popular sports. American football, with its high-intensity
gameplay and strategic elements, captivates millions of fans every year. The National Football League
(NFL) is the premier professional league, and the Super Bowl, its championship game, is one of the
most-watched sporting events globally.

Basketball, invented in the United States, has gained immense popularity worldwide. The National
Basketball Association (NBA) is the pinnacle of professional basketball, attracting top talent from
around the globe.

Baseball, often referred to as America's pastime, has a rich history and a devoted fan base. The World
Series, the championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB), is a highly anticipated event each
year.

Lastly, ice hockey, particularly popular in northern states and Canada, showcases fast-paced action
and physicality. The National Hockey League (NHL) is the premier professional ice hockey league in
North America.
Moving across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom, where sports hold a special place in the hearts of its
people. Football, or soccer as it is known in the United States, is the most popular sport. The English
Premier League (EPL) is widely regarded as the most competitive and prestigious football league
globally, attracting top players from all corners of the world. The FA Cup, the oldest football
competition in the world, is a cherished tradition that showcases the depth of talent across English
football.

Cricket, another beloved sport in the UK, has a rich history and is often associated with British culture.
The Ashes, a Test cricket series between England and Australia, is one of the most fiercely contested
rivalries in the sport.

Rugby, both union and league, also have a significant following in the UK. The Six Nations
Championship, an annual rugby union tournament featuring England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland,
France, and Italy, is a highlight of the sporting calendar.

Moving to Asia, there are a diverse range of sports that reflect the cultural and historical backgrounds
of each country. In Japan, sumo wrestling is a traditional sport that dates back centuries. It is a highly
ritualized and revered form of wrestling that showcases strength, technique, and discipline.

Moving to South America, we find an incredible passion for football. In countries like Brazil and
Argentina, football is more than just a sport; it is a way of life. The FIFA World Cup, the pinnacle of
international football, has seen these nations produce some of the greatest players in history.

Sports have a profound impact on different countries, shaping their cultural identity and providing a
platform for national pride.

Sports also teach valuable life skills and lessons. Team sports, in particular, foster teamwork,
cooperation, and communication. Athletes learn how to work together towards a common goal,
relying on each other's strengths and supporting one another. These skills are transferable to various
aspects of life, such as the workplace or personal relationships. Sports also teach discipline,
perseverance, and resilience, as athletes face setbacks, injuries, and failures. They learn to bounce
back, adapt, and keep moving forward, which are essential qualities for success in any endeavor.

Sports also have a significant economic impact. Major sporting events, such as the Olympics or the
FIFA World Cup, attract millions of spectators and generate substantial revenue for host cities and
countries. These events create job opportunities, boost tourism, and stimulate local businesses.
Sports also contribute to the growth of industries such as sports apparel, equipment manufacturing,
and sports media. The economic impact of sports extends beyond the professional level, as local
sports clubs and organizations contribute to the local economy through ticket sales, sponsorships, and
merchandise.

I've never been particularly interested in sports. But I'm sure that every person always has kind of
sport in their lives. I also have sports in my life. It's roller skating and ice skating.

Roller skating and ice skating have been a part of my life since I was a child. I remember the first time I
put on a pair of roller skates and felt the thrill of gliding across the smooth surface. The feeling of
freedom and exhilaration that comes with skating is unmatched. Whether it's the wind in my hair as I
speed around the roller rink or the crisp air on my face as I glide on the ice, these sports have a way of
making me feel alive.

At first I learned to roller skate. My grandmother taught me that. To be honest, I don't even know if
she knew how to roller skate when she was young. At first it was difficult, but my grandmother made
me make circles in the yard and I learned to drive without her help. We often went to small parks with
smooth road surfaces, there I rode all day long and learned to ride quickly and make different turns
and ways to stop.
I didn't fall so often, I've never had injuries. At the same time, I learned to be very fast. Sometimes I
raced with other children on roller skates. Of course I've always won. My brother also learned to
roller skate, but he didn't like it very much. He preferred skateboards. Our grandmother walked with
us all our childhood, while we were riding, she always sat and counted our circles. She's always taught
us different activities. My brother and I often jumped rope and counted who would have the most
jumps.

What I love most about rollers is speed. It's an incredible feeling when you drive very fast, through the
wind. It's like I feel really alive. On the roads there can often be stones, branches or some objects that
can interfere, so I also love this sport because you are attentive. Because you should always watch
what's in front of you and always be able to properly go around the object lying on the road so as not
to fall.

I also like to skate by people fast. Very often you need to go around them at speed, it's not very easy
as just to skate forward, but it's a lot of fun. Especially when people turn around and watch you go on
and even sometimes admire, because I fly like a bullet, at least I think so.

Then I realised that ice skating is the same as roller skating. My first trip to the ice was not very
interesting, because I was just standing or holding on to something so as not to fall. But after realising
that it was the same thing, I got confidence and I started to skate well on the ice too. I love the cold
from the ice. I like to ride and feel the fresh coolness from everywhere.

I had more falls on the ice because I was riding on public skating rinks. There have always been a lot of
people there. But over time, I also learned to quickly go around all the irregularities on the ice and the
people in front.

Skating taught me the value of balance and coordination. Maintaining balance on skates requires
focus and control.

I lived in a small town in my country and there we had a small skating rink where we skated with my
friends. We often rode at speed or played catch-up. It was also fun to make a “train” from several
people. We held on to each other's jackets from behind and rode around the rink.

I've never really watched any competitions in these sports. I didn't even think about it, I just skated
and enjoyed it.

Unfortunately, due to overweight issues, I stopped skating over time. It hurts very much when,
because of the heavy weight, there is a load on the foot, because there are small wheels or a sharp
skate blade at the bottom.

The only sport I like to watch is the World Cup. I don't watch regular games between football clubs. I
like to watch only the World Cup. I've been watching it since 2018. And that means I've only seen two
championships, in 2018 and in 2022. Because they take place every 4 years. It all started in 2018
because then I was on vacation in Russia in the summer and that's where the championship was held.
I wasn't at the game itself and I didn't see it all live but I saw people celebrating the victories of their
teams there. When I was just walking down the street, it was summer and people had windows open,
I heard someone start screaming with joy with the words "goal" and I realised that this man's
favourite team won. When I got home, everyone around were talking and watching the championship
and I joined them too. So I got interested in it. I watched the games And I understood the rules. I liked
to argue with my parents who would win and I was happy when I was right. Although I didn’t know
these teams and their players I was interested in just cheering for them and watching them. I like the
concept of the championship, especially the fact that not football clubs but countries compete. It
seems to me funny and interesting. I remember how France won. I bet with my aunt and eventually
won a small amount of money. it was cool. Since then I have been waiting very much for the next
championship. during this time I became a fan of K-pop. And how happy I was when I learned that at
the opening of the 2022 World Cup, Jungkook from BTS will perform. I watched his live performance
with tears and also watched all the games. Of course, only because I'm a fan of everything Korean, I
was rooting for South Korea, which also participated in the championship. After they dropped out of
the game, I didn't really try to support any team, but just watched. I remember that France and
Argentina were in the final. Argentina won. By the way, the championship was in Qatar. It was a good
time. I'm waiting for the next championship.

Because of the heavy weight I had to do sports. When I was in my country I went to a fitness club for
two months. To be honest, I really think that fitness and gyms are a very cool thing. Because there are
a huge number of different exercise machines that can improve any of your body parts. And there are
also many trainers who will help you. I like that you can make training plans and make your body
better. You can also improve your diet with the help of specialists who will help you make the right
diet and tell you about healthy food. It's all cool, but I'm not a sports person. I'm not very active at all.
it's bad, of course, but it's my truth. I went to the gym, did stretching, aerobics and others. There
were no results in weight because I didn’t change my diet to a healthier one, but my endurance
increased. It was easier for me to do any things than before. I didn’t do fitness further because I was
preparing to move to another country. And now I am still not doing anything, besides studying.