In today’s world, sports are often commercialized and organized in ways that have both a cultural and political significance. Sports are often viewed as symbols of national identity and are often sold by multinational corporations to the widest audience possible. Regardless of the reason for their popularity, these activities can be a source of tremendous pleasure or a source of exploitation.
Sports are also often governed by customs and rules that ensure a fair competition and consistent adjudication of the winner. These customs and rules often allow a judge to score certain aspects of a sporting performance to determine a winner. The criteria used to determine a winner can be based on the physical events themselves or on subjective measures of the performances of individuals.
The development of modern sports began in the late 17th century. The concept of a sports record first emerged in the 17th century. While many of the traditional games were condemned by the Puritans, organized games emerged as a result of the reformation movement. Many of these games, such as cricket, were developed under the leadership of the Marylebone Cricket Club. These clubs sought to increase sport participation and the competition between individuals.
The development of modern sports is a part of globalization. It is characterized by the creation of national sports organizations and the acceptance of international sports rules by different cultures. These factors have enabled the development of regular international competitions and special competitions such as the Olympic Games.