Sports help us forget about our problems. Most of us sports fans lean towards the more established leagues: basketball, baseball, hockey, football… but there’s more to the world of competition than the so-called “Big four.” Many of them are a lot more creative, too.
One of the most exciting parts about a sporting event is watching athletes, who present us with examples of all that we can accomplish if we put our focus on physical prowess. While all athletes train to get their bodies into shape, some special athletes are born with an enhanced physique that allows them to literally stand head and shoulders above the competition.
Whether you are talking the Olympics, hockey, basketball, or even the world of pro wrestling, athletes hold a special place in the hearts of the public. Their wins are inspiring, they act as heroes to many, and sometimes hold the pride of a city, region, or even country within their athletic abilities and accomplishments. Which is why fans mourn tremendously when a beloved athlete passes on.
Sports can be an emotional rollercoaster. Championship rings, in-game heroics, acts of superhuman athleticism — it’s the hope of these monumental achievements that keeps us tuning in every chance that we get. And as much as we’d like to claim that we enjoy sports for their own sake, that isn’t always the case.
For most kids who collect sports cards, the goal is to have the largest collection in the neighborhood. For sports card experts, and people who have been collecting memorabilia professionally, amassing a large collection isn’t necessarily the goal anymore. Instead, they focus on accumulating a collection that has value.
The Olympics is a fun event that allows even the most couchbound person to dream of athletic prowess and the unending glory of the medal podium. As we leave behind the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and look forward to the next games (see you in the summer of 2020 in Tokyo!), we’re reminded of just how effective the Olympics can be in terms of diplomacy and international friendship.
It’s a tale as old as time. No, not that one. The one where the uber-successes athlete, champion of champions, is outed as a scientifically modified cheater. Then comes the feelings of betrayal, the outrage, and, at least for the athlete, rock bottom.
The world of sport is packed with nations of winners and losers. And the world of sports leagues is no different. Every few years, a billionaire with too much money, time, and confidence opts to invest in the high risk, high reward professional sports market. And as a result, the sports league graveyard continues to grow.
If you’re a fan of sports, chances are you’ve already realized how hard it is for women to break into the industry. It seems like often they’re there to provide evidence of gender parity, and to entice men to tune in to the half-time show or the pre-match commentary. Women in sports have had a long road to achieving success in their chosen field, but we’re here to show you that the struggle hasn’t all been in vain.