Sports in the USA

The emphasis on physical fitness has involved increasing number of Americans in activities that provide the necessary physical fitness, happiness and holiday distraction.

American participants are magnetised by such sports and activities as bicycling, fishing, jogging, gymnastics, swimming, tennis, marathons, track and field, bowling, archery, skiing, skating, squash and badminton. But the four major American sports are hockey, baseball, football and basketball.

The large choice of sports in America can be explained by the variety and size of the country, its different climates and the people's love of competitions of any type. In addition, public sports facilities have always been available in great number for participants. American schools and colleges use sports activities as a way of teaching social values. Among these are teamwork and sportsmanship. The average high school offers its students a great variety of sports, including rowing, wrestling, tennis and golf. And this may explain why Americans have traditionally done well in many of these sports. As a result, being intelligent and being good in sports are regarded as an ideal. There are many colleges which have excellent academic reputation and are also good in sports.

At present professional sportsmen are concerned with getting a good education that will allow them to find good jobs when their playing days are over.

There are no separate "universities" for sports in the USA. Recently peculiar American sports such as skate-boarding, windsurfing, hang-gliding have gained international popularity. The most recent unusual sport that first reached popularity in the USA is triathlon. It includes swimming, bicycle racing and long-distance running and is becoming more and more popular in Europe.

Everyone in America can participate in sports activities.