Member-only story

From Fair Play to Power Plays: Woodrow Wilson Center Series Explores the Evolution of Sports

James Joyce

·14.3k Followers· Follow

Published in Changing Cultures In Congress: From Fair Play To Power Plays (Woodrow Wilson Center Series)

4 min read

657 View Claps

61 Respond

Save

Listen

Sports have been a part of human culture for centuries. From the ancient Greeks and Romans to the modern day, people have enjoyed participating in and watching sports. But how have sports changed over time? And what does the future of sports hold?

Changing Cultures in Congress: From Fair Play to Power Plays (Woodrow Wilson Center Series)

by Willi Paul Adams

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	604 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	200 pages

A new series of events at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., is exploring these questions. The series, titled "From Fair Play to Power Plays: The Evolution of Sports," features a variety of speakers who are experts on the history, culture, and economics of sports.

The series kicked off in September 2022 with a talk by John Hoberman, a historian at the University of Texas at Austin. Hoberman's talk, titled "The Invention of Fairness in Sports," explored the origins of the concept of fair play in sports. He argued that fair play is not a natural or inevitable part of sports, but rather a social construct that has been developed over time.

Other speakers in the series have included:

Nancy Struna, a professor of sports management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who spoke about the role of women in sports.

David Goldblatt, a journalist and author, who spoke about the history of soccer.

Michael Oriard, a former NFL player and author, who spoke about the culture of sports.

The series has been well-received by audiences. Attendees have praised the speakers for their expertise and insights. One attendee said, "I learned so much about the history of sports and the challenges that athletes face today." Another attendee said, "This series has given me a new appreciation for the role that sports play in our society."

The "From Fair Play to Power Plays" series is a valuable contribution to the study of sports. The series provides a forum for scholars, journalists, and athletes to share their knowledge and insights about the evolution of sports. The series also helps to raise awareness of the important role that sports play in our society.

The series will continue in 2023 with a variety of new speakers and topics. For more information about the series, please visit the Woodrow Wilson Center website.