A set of Atlantic articles on what makes athleticism a deeply human endeavor
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My colleague Gisela Salim-Peyer put it bluntly final weekend: “Many ladies love sports activities, however I’m not considered one of them. I don’t wish to play any sports activities, and I actually don’t wish to watch.” I’m personally fairly aligned with Gisela right here, however this 12 months, I’m discovering myself invested within the Olympics. Like Gisela, I’m discovering that this worldwide spectacle of athletic excellence stands out as the exception to my sports-averse rule. Possibly that’s as a result of the Olympics have a means of exhibiting us what sports activities needs to be about: camaraderie, competing with oneself to surpass outdated targets and set new ones, and the enjoyment of well-earned success (additionally, nice outfits and glitter).
Consider at this time’s e-newsletter as a sports activities reader for the sports-averse or sports-ambivalent. I’ve rounded up a group of Atlantic tales that remember what makes athleticism a deeply human endeavor, one which’s value exploring even should you don’t see your self as a “sports activities individual.”
On the Pleasure of Sports activities
Why I Hate Sports activities however Love the Olympics
By Gisela Salim-Peyer
It’s the one time that feminine athletes get equal billing—however that’s solely a part of the reason.
A Skeptic Attends the First Fashionable Olympics
By Stephanie Bai
The video games didn’t all the time encourage world patriotic fervor.
Sports activities Are Nice As a result of They’re Pointless
By Arthur C. Brooks
Probably the most trivial issues can construct the strongest relationships.
Nonetheless Curious?
- The unintended spectator’s information to enhancing sports activities: “Bearing witness to sports activities with none actual emotional attachment, I’ve seen a number of issues endemic to baseball, basketball, soccer, and soccer—and like a McKinsey guide at a metal mill, I’ve developed concepts for easy methods to treatment them,” Juliet Lapidos wrote in 2014.
- The enjoyment of glory-free sports activities: Final winter, Lora Kelley recounted the pleasures of her mediocre-squash period.
Different Diversions
P.S.
I lately requested readers to share a photograph of one thing that sparks their sense of awe on the earth. Heidi A., 27, from Philadelphia, wrote:
“I took this image from the highest of the cable automotive on Mont Blanc in France. The buildings and platforms up there have a captivating combine of normal vacationers like me and severe alpinists. There are units of footprints and teams of alpinists seen within the background of the photograph, climbing towards the summit. The opposite vacationers and I clapped when the alpinist within the midground made it again to his pals, who had been managing his rope from the platform. I used to be blown away not solely by the great thing about the world, but in addition by the individuals round me!”
I’ll proceed to function your responses within the coming weeks. For those who’d prefer to share, reply to this e-mail with a photograph and a brief description so we are able to share your surprise with fellow readers in a future version of this article or on our web site. Please embody your identify (initials are okay), age, and placement. By doing so, you agree that The Atlantic has permission to publish your photograph and publicly attribute the response to you, together with your first identify and final preliminary, age, and/or location that you just share along with your submission.
— Isabel
