Sports around the world Writing and Art by Ethan Man Sports surround us as hobbies and lifestyles alike. They have become a universal language communicating teamwork and competition across borders. With sports being so culturally significant, what are some of the world’s most popular sports, and where did they come from?
Surfing - Polynesia
According to the Smithsonian, surfing likely originated in Polynesia and extended to Hawaii, where it developed further. Over the years, it has been enjoyed as both a fun activity and a competitive sport. At the time, Hawaiian royalty would often have special boards and ride the “best” waves, which, funnily enough, are now considered the easier waves to ride.
Ice Skating - Scandinavia
According to Britannica, this elegant and graceful sport likely originated in Scandinavia as early as 1000 B.C., when the first ice skates were composed of animals’ rib bones. Skating was a popular pastime in the Middle Ages and became even more popular in the late 1800s with the creation of indoor skating rinks. The sport would inspire several variations, including figure skating, speed skating, and ice dancing.
Basketball - United States
Basketball was founded in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, making it the only major sport of strictly U.S. origin. According to Britannica, the game was first enjoyed with two peach baskets as goals and quickly advanced and grew in popularity, soon becoming a professional sport. The National Basketball Association has since been home to some of the “greatest of all time” like Michael Jordan and Lebron James.
18 HIGHLANDER SPORTS
