The Difference Between Amateur and Professional Sport
Sports is commonly defined by most people as an activity that entails a level of physical activity, including running or basketball. However, most people probably don’t know what sports really mean. The dictionary often leaves out words like “partying”, “dancing”, “volleyball” and “football”. Most sports are considered competitive gaming. Many forms of competitive athletics and some games are also recognized as sports.
Professional sports teams and athletes have organized competitions for participants in various sports, to determine who is the best or most promising player or team. In addition to the competition between individual athletes, professional sports organizations, such as the Olympics, have sports competitions for teams, from each member of the team. A participant in a professional sports competition is known as an athlete, also known as a sportsman. A participant in a professional sports competition may participate in training, practice or play; any of these activities can be considered sports related activities.
Professional sports are divided into two sections: amateur sports and competitive sports. The participants of both types of sports have designed training programs to increase their athletic ability, physical fitness and strength. The rules of amateur sports often differ from those of professional sports, but the spirit behind them is the same. Both professional and amateur sports involve physical fitness, speed, skill, form and endurance.
There are different standards of participation for both amateur and professional sports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sets the criteria for championships and awards medals. Most countries, including the United States, establish national governing bodies for their various sport events. The US Playing Service, now known as USA Volleyball, governs the United States National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), while the US Olympic Committee (USOC) is responsible for the selection of athletes for the Olympic Games.
Professional sport in the US includes basketball, football, ice hockey, soccer, baseball and tennis. Basketball, ice hockey and baseball are the three major sports in the US, each with their own unique style and history. Soccer, which was played as a semi-professional sport until the late 1970s, has developed into one of the most popular and internationally recognized sports in the world. Professional sport in the US has made significant contributions to the growth of the physical fitness industry. Many colleges, camps and clinics have emerged to help athletes improve their physical fitness.
Professional and college sports are governed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the governing body for sports at the Olympic Games. All athletes are required to attend the Olympic Games, regardless of their nationality or religion. Women’s sports in the US comprise baseball, softball, basketball and gymnastics, while international competitors are predominantly men. Olympic medals are awarded by the IRO and its affiliated Olympic Sports Organizations.