Written by Sports is a creative activity where individuals work together towards certain objectives. On one hand, the goal of sports is to improve the health of people and the formation of individuals’ personalities. On the other hand, sports can be appreciated as a form of entertainment. Viewing sports events is appreciating the efforts of the athletes and also the artistic aesthetics of sports. While the artistic aesthetic part of sports can be seen as far removed from sports, we could still appreciate them in our own ways.
To fully grasp this, it is essential to distinguish between sports aesthetics and art aesthetics. Sports aesthetics are built on a dual basis. Firstly, it is related to the enthusiasm and creativity of the athletes when they play, and secondly, it comes from the emotional experience and the practical feelings in competition. This is the significant difference between the aesthetics of sport and the aesthetics of art. Moreover, the role of spectators is crucial in this context. The sports spectators are directly involved in the creation and dissemination of sports as well. They are both the subject of feeling and the object of participation. Of course, not all spectators can get the aesthetics of sports. First of all, the spectator must have the awareness and ability to view sports aesthetics, i.e., the spectator must have a certain degree of athletic ability, like seeing the characteristics, structure, and power of the sport and athlete. This is essential when talking about viewing sports aesthetics.
In addition to spectators, the intrinsic nature of sports itself contributes to its aesthetic value. The direct purpose of sports is utilitarian, especially in competitive sports, which is to win or lose the game for the purpose of the whole group, the nation, and the national interest. Sports competition is special, athletes use physical and mental fitness to overcome their opponents and rise to victory, basically a self-transcendence of human beings. Overall, the dynamic interplay of competition and skill contributes to a deeper aesthetic experience. The human body always moves according to the law of balance. Thus reaching a harmonious state, giving people a pleasing feeling of equilibrium. The aesthetics of sports are characterized by direct participation. Since different sports have their own rules, characteristics, and intensities, each offers different aesthetic experiences. People can appreciate not only the beauty of various athletic performances but also the aesthetics of sportswear, sports architecture, sports venues, sports equipment, and even the opening and closing ceremonies of sports events.