History of Sport in Timeline

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Sport

Sport encompasses physical activities and games, frequently competitive and structured, aimed at enhancing or maintaining physical prowess and skills. Its appeal extends to both participants, who derive enjoyment, and spectators, who find entertainment. The scale of involvement in a sport can range dramatically, from vast numbers of participants to solitary engagement.

1934: Mussolini uses FIFA World Cup to showcase Fascist Italy

In 1934, Benito Mussolini used the FIFA World Cup held in Italy to showcase Fascist Italy.

1936: Hitler promotes Nazi ideology at the Olympics

In 1936, Adolf Hitler used the Summer Olympics held in Berlin and the Winter Olympics held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen to promote Nazi ideology.

1969: Football War between El Salvador and Honduras

In 1969, the Football War between El Salvador and Honduras was sparked by rioting at World Cup qualifiers.

1970: Stasi used collaborators in East German sport

In communist-controlled East Germany, from the 1970's to 1990, an estimated 3,000 unofficial collaborators were used each year in top-level sport.

1971: Olympic athletes allowed compensation

From 1971, Olympic athletes were allowed to receive compensation and sponsorship.

1972: Munich massacre at the Olympics

In 1972, Palestinian militants infiltrated the Olympic Village, took Israeli team members hostage, and killed 11 athletes in what became known as the Munich massacre.

1986: IOC allows professional athletes

From 1986, the IOC decided to make all professional athletes eligible for the Olympics, with the exceptions of boxing and wrestling.

1990: Stasi used collaborators in East German sport

In communist-controlled East Germany, from the 1970's to 1990, an estimated 3,000 unofficial collaborators were used each year in top-level sport.

1998: Emergence of sports engineering

In 1998, sports engineering emerged as a discipline, focusing on materials design and the use of technology in sports.

1998: Good Friday Agreement leads to removal of GAA ban

In 1998, the advent of the Good Friday Agreement led to removal of the GAA ban on members of the British security forces and members of the RUC playing Gaelic games.

2000: Early sports in China

Around 2000 BC, artifacts and structures suggest sport was present in China, with gymnastics appearing to be popular.

2006: FIFA World Cup final viewership

In 2006, the FIFA World Cup final drew over 700 million viewers worldwide.

2008: Decision review system introduced in cricket

Since 2008, a decision review system for players to review decisions has been introduced and used in ICC-run tournaments.

2010: FINA bans full-body swimsuits

In 2010, full-body, non-textile swimsuits were banned by FINA due to their performance-enhancing effects.

2011: Cricket World Cup final viewership

In 2011, the Cricket World Cup final was watched by approximately 135 million viewers in India alone.

2013: Goal-line technology in Premier League

In 2013, the Premier League started using goal-line technology from the 2013-14 season.

2013: Global sporting industry worth

In 2013, the global sporting industry was estimated to be worth up to $620 billion according to A.T. Kearney.

2014: Goal-line technology at FIFA World Cup in Brazil

In 2014, goal-line technology was used at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

2015: Super Bowl XLIX viewership

In 2015, Super Bowl XLIX averaged 114 million viewers in the US and a 30-second advertising spot sold for approximately US$4.5 million.

2015: Goal-line technology at FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada

In 2015, goal-line technology was used at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada.

2020: Female participation at Tokyo Olympics

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, women accounted for 49% of participants.

2024: Gender parity at Paris Olympics

The Paris 2024 Olympics is expected to reach full 50% gender parity in participation.