The difference between olympic sports and traditional chinese sports

Introduction

Olympic sports and traditional Chinese sports which originated in different social and cultural contexts belong to different sport systems. The paper studies the differences between them, thus exerting great influence on overall understanding the connotations of Olympic sports and traditional Chinese sports as well as their exchanges and integrations in the new historical conditions.

Methods

The paper adopts the methods of literature review and comparative analysis.

Results

1. Different social environments. Olympic sports are based on industrial civilization while traditional Chinese sports on agricultural civilization. Olympic sports are spread all over the world with the expansion of capitalism while traditional Chinese sports got development in the closed society.
2. Different philosophical bases of sport. Olympic sports depend on modern natural science while traditional Chinese sports on ancient philosophy. Olympic sports pay attention to the specific while traditional Chinese sports focus on the whole. Olympic sports emphasize the improvement of physical exercises while traditional Chinese sports have mind as the base.
3. Different values of sports. Olympic sports highlight fair play while traditional Chinese sports emphasize ethics. Olympic sports pay attention to competition while traditional Chinese sports pursue harmony.
4. Different sport systems.

Discussion / Conclusions

In essence, Olympic sports and traditional Chinese sports belong to 2 sport systems which are greatly different. The feudal agricultural society lasting several thousand years formed rich traditional sports in China, greatly contributing to the development of human sport culture, but with the seal of agricultural society. Olympic sports are the product of further developed civilization. Compared with traditional Chinese sports with the agricultural type, Olympic sports are different in value, theory, sport methodology and management, which are the basis of the exchanges between both sides. With the approaching of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the exchanges between traditional Chinese sports and Olympic sports form a fine momentum of mutual implementation and interaction. It’s the demand of the development of Chinese sports but also the demand of the further development of the Olympic movement.

References

1. Pierre de Coubertin. The Olympic Idea. Carl-Diem-Institut, 1967.
2. Hu Shiqing. The History of Chinese Culture. China Broadcasting Press, 1999.