Three Ways that Sports Unite Us

There are myriad differences that define each culture. From the way we dress and talk to the customs we partake in. Yet, despite all the ways we’re different, it seems that we can come together in a common capacity when it comes to one shared interest: sports. While each country has its own teams that it roots for and its own sets of rules and regulations surrounding each game, we’re united in the fact that we love to root for the teams we love, and participate in our own versions of the games when we have the opportunity.

Today, we’re taking a look at four ways that sports unite us, and how we’re more alike than we think.

1. They emphasize communication and teamwork.

For a team to succeed, it has to demonstrate a commitment to working together and speaking up to accomplish a common goal. As such, there’s an inherent sense of unity and community in sports that’s difficult to find anywhere else. While players are obviously focused on beating their opponents and coming out on top, they’re usually more concerned with playing their personal best each time and helping their fellow teammates do the same. If this is accomplished, the odds of a win are that much greater.

We may not play the same sports and our loyalties might lie in different places, but we can all agree that a dissident team with no cohesion or sense of teamwork won’t go very far on the field. As such, the concepts of partnership and synergy that sports convey are universal.

2. We all love to talk about them.

Ask anyone the street his or her favorite sports team, and it usually won’t take long for you to get a quick and fervent reply in return. Whether we’re athletic ourselves or not, we love to root on our beloved players and our favorite mascots. There’s a reason events like the Olympics are so momentous and iconic in cultures around the world. We adore and appreciate the ability to feel like we’re a part of the game. So, the next time you’re traveling abroad, you may want to brush up on your French gaming lingo or learn a few Spanish words about sports. Chances are, someone will want to talk about the topic with you!

3. Everyone loves the roller coaster ride.

Let’s face it: Sports aren’t that much different than roller coasters. Whether you’re a player or a spectator, you never know with absolute certainty what the opponent’s next move will be. As such, the outcome of a game can be predicted, betted upon, and analyzed down to a science, but no one really knows when an upset might occur and upset all odds.

As humans, we crave an adrenaline rush, and arguably no other system delivers it as effectively and routinely as sports. We’re sad when our favorite player gets hurt, or a foul is called on our beloved team. Likewise, we soar when they win or when someone makes a particularly great shot on the field or on the court. As we watch or play in locations around the world, the process is still the same and there’s always that potential for surprise.

So, there you have it. And all this time you thought you were just watching a simple game of sports! Turns out, you were engaging in one of the most long-standing, universal symbols of global unity that exists. The next time we cheer on our favorite team or cringe when it loses, let’s remember that we’re all in this together.