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Athletics Origins

Athletics Origins. Origins were functional like the endurance needed by an army or accuracy of the hunter. Athleticism popular with Ancient Greeks, They used the term ‘man of action’ Popular recreation athletics in 2 forms. Traditional festivals and Pedestrianism. . Traditional Festivals.

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Athletics Origins

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  1. Athletics Origins • Origins were functional like the endurance needed by an army or accuracy of the hunter. • Athleticism popular with Ancient Greeks, They used the term ‘man of action’ • Popular recreation athletics in 2 forms. Traditional festivals and Pedestrianism.

  2. Traditional Festivals • Multi-sports: meeting needs of whole community. E.g. wrestling, throwing, running, smock race. • Ancient festivals found in Cornwall, Lake District, Scottish Highlands. • Look at the picture of Robert Dovers Cotswold Olympick games. • What sports can you see? • What characteristics of popular recreation are shown?

  3. Cotswold Games held in Gloucester at Whitsun from 1612.

  4. Pedestrianism • Forerunner of professionalism. • They were race-walkers who earned a living by accepting challenges such as racing others or walking specific distances in certain times. • They were supported by Upper Class patrons and heavy wagering. • Upper class would also wager on races between their footmen and servants

  5. PEDESTRIANISM

  6. Question • Look at the picture of the pedestrian versus the Gentleman Amateur. • List the motives or reasons for both to be competing

  7. Answer • Pedestrian - For money. To support his family. Better than labouring. For fame. Because he is good at it. To prove he is as good as others. • Gentleman - because he enjoys it. To prove himself (character development). As a challenge (physical endeavour). As a wager.

  8. Influence of the Public Schools • Athletics type sports were developed from Hare & Hounds (cross country). • Not liked at Arnold stage because meant going out of school grounds and was an individual event rather than team. • Stage 3 (1850s) saw the introduction of athletics weeks finishing with a sports day. • Wider athletics programme including running, hurdling, jumps and field events.

  9. continued • Public school athletics championships began. • A winter cross country season began. • Ex pupils established university athletics clubs with inter-varsity athletics and cross country. Full Blue status. • First recognised Athletics meeting was Exeter College in 1850. Programme was more like a horserace meeting. List of events and competitors. (Handicap)

  10. Professional Athletics - rationalisation • Rural fairs declined and professional athletics developed in big cities. • Lower class made a living from running. Not as much money as pre-Victorian peds. • Handicap system - often cheating, ‘roping’, ‘running to the book’ and ‘ringing in’ were common. • Purpose built tracks from 1830 in most major cities. 25,000 crowds watching & wagering (spectators paid).

  11. Amateur - Rationalisation • Amateur Athletic Club (AAC) formed 1866 by Ex-Oxbridge Gentlemen & London club. • Did not want to be involved with professionals • Amateur was seen as strictly no financial reward and no lower class (Gentlemen Amateurs). • National Olympian Society(NOS) also set up in 1866. All males could compete but no prize money allowed.

  12. Amateur Athletics Association • The AAC was based in the South and NOS was in the North , a divide again! • AAA set up in 1880, no class exclusion but still no financial gain. • Regular meetings in Spring and Summer improved the standard of competition. • Many towns also had Harrier Clubs with regular x country races in the Winter.

  13. Rationalised athletics - a stand, spectators, organisation, judges.

  14. Athletics today • Discussion points. • How has the distinction between amateurs and professionals changed? • Think back to GCSE . USA - Scholarships, Russians being in the Armed Forces, Trust Funds. • Is there prize money today? • What about the Olympics?

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