History of Sport in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
Sport

Sport encompasses physical activities or games, frequently competitive and structured, that aim to sustain or enhance physical abilities and skills. It serves as a source of pleasure for participants and entertainment for onlookers. The participation scale within a given sport can range extensively, from numerous individuals to just one.

1934: Mussolini showcases Fascist Italy at FIFA World Cup

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

1936: Hitler promotes Nazi ideology at Olympic Games

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

1969: Football War between El Salvador and Honduras

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

1971: Olympic athletes allowed compensation and sponsorship

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

1972: Munich massacre at the Olympics

Politics and sport tragically intersected at the 1972 Munich Olympics, when Palestinian militants infiltrated the Olympic Village, took Israeli team members hostage, and ultimately killed 11 athletes in what became known as the Munich massacre.

1986: IOC decides to make all professional athletes eligible for the Olympics

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

1990: East Germany uses unofficial collaborators in top-level sport

In communist controlled East Germany, from the 1970s 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 with an increasing focus not just on materials design but also the use of technology in sport.

1998: Good Friday Agreement leads to removal of GAA ban

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

2000: Early sport in China

Around 2000 BC, artifacts and structures suggest sport existed 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: Introduction of decision review system in cricket

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

2010: FINA banned full-body, non-textile swimsuits

In 2010, FINA banned full-body, non-textile swimsuits for enhancing swimmers' performances.

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 used in Premier League

From 2013–14, goal-line technology was used in the Premier League to determine whether a ball had crossed the goal line.

2013: Global sporting industry worth

In 2013, A.T. Kearney reported that the global sporting industry was worth up to $620 billion.

2014: Goal-line technology used in FIFA World Cup

In 2014, goal-line technology was used in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil to determine whether a ball had crossed the goal line.

2015: Super Bowl XLIX viewership and advertising costs

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 used in FIFA Women's World Cup

In 2015, goal-line technology was used in the FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada to determine whether a ball had crossed the goal line.

2020: Female participation in sports rise in Tokyo Olympics

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, women accounted for 49% of participants, marking a rise in female participation in sports.

2024: Full parity at Paris Olympics

In 2024, women reached full 50 % parity at Paris Olympics.