Sport as Symbol

<p> Upon first consideration sport and art seem to occupy separate even opposing realms--sport associated with physical prowess and art with the highest reaches of the human mind. But because sport is such a powerful metaphor for so many human experiences it has found its way into artistic traditions all over the world.</p><p> Part One of this book provides a basic understanding of sport as symbol. Part Two gives attention to animals as adversaries and traces the origins of sporting art back to the hunt. Part Three considers humans competing against humans in combat sports ball games stick-and-ball games and racquet sports as well as in warfare. Part Four concentrates on contesting with oneself in races and sports of grace and beauty such as gymnastics figure skating and ice dancing. The book concludes with a discussion of the athlete's relationships to society.</p>