The relationship between an athlete and a citizen in ancient greece and in the context of modern sports

Introduction

When speaking about sports as a social and also cultural phenomenon it is essential to consider the antiquity when this phenomenon appeared. The most known form of sports, i.e. sports competitions are the Olympic Games, which is mainly for the reason that the Olympic Games are still in our time a worldwide social spectacle par exellence.

Methods

Although it may seem that the ancient and modern Olympic Games have some common characteristics, it appears that they are according to their origins and position in the social structure two entirely different phenomena.
But is it really so? I will try to demonstrate this upon the analysis of social status of an athlete in antiquity as well as today.
The main topic of this research will be the relationship agonistes-polites in ancient Greece and the relationship sportif-citoyen in modern sports.

Results

This analysis will reveal the background of the position of sports and sports games in ancient as well as in modern society.

References

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[8]. Mark Golden, Sport and society in Ancient Greece, Cambrdge University press, 1998
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[10]. Waldo E. Sweet, Sport and Recreation in Ancient Greece, New York, Oxford, 1987