A sports film is an often-paralyzed genre which makes use of sports as the main theme of the movie. It’s usually a documentary film in which an athlete, sports event, fan of sport, or even subject of sports interest are heavily involved, and that rely strongly on sport for their main plot direction or resolution. It may be a sports oriented documentary film such as the Oscar-winning “Judo” or the British film ” 96tops.” Sometimes, it can be a sports writing feature or even a comedic sports film, like the 1997 cult comedy “Million Dollar Baby.” However, it can also be a documentary of some kind, dealing with real sports events or figures, instead of fictional sports characters.
We usually think of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Committee when we consider modern-day international sports competitions, but these organizations have been around since the ancient Olympics, when they began sponsoring sporting events to demean shame those who did not participate, reward those who did, as well as to highlight the games as symbols of prestige. This tradition of public relations-spreading the word about the participants in the games through propaganda dates back to ancient Greece and Rome, when gladiators were also regularly subject to public scrutiny as celebrities. In addition to acting as the voice of sports, the athletes would also represent their teams and participate in the games. These public performances made the participating athletes seem more heroic and their ability to overcome injuries and persevere were highlighted, while the skill of their sportsmanship was glamorized.
Today’s sports are much more than athletes stepping onto a playing field to compete; they are now participant-run events with a built-in audience. The sports fan can follow his favorite player, watch him win or lose, and generally be a part of the game he watches while sitting in the stands or in a seat near the field. He is almost certainly watching the game from a very different place than he would be sitting in a stadium seat, surrounded by thousands of other fans. The modern spectator sport has evolved into a highly sophisticated business, in which advertising is heavily promoted, sponsorship deals are made, players are inducted into Hall of Fame, and awards and recognition are given for accomplishments that transcend athletic competition. All of this makes the game itself a very serious business for professional sportswear designers, as they must create uniforms not only for the game, but for the various sponsors who are interested in promoting their products, using the talents, skills, and physical appearance of the athletes as models for their promotional material.
A good sports outfit involves many elements that go beyond functionality, such as quality materials and attention to detail. The sportswear designer must consider the physical demands of participating in the sportswear and work within the framework of that physical fitness program. It should fit well, not restrict movement, be breathable and resistant to sweat, and fit comfortably against the athlete. The design should leave the participant enough room to perform normal movements without becoming trapped in the fabric. The sections of the body that take up most of the weight of the player should carry the majority of the outfit’s design. Additionally, the section needs to provide adequate space for flexibility of movement without limiting muscles or joints.
The sportswear needs to have been developed specifically for the type of sports it will be used for. This means that performance in one type of sports may translate poorly in another sport. Also, non-traditional activities like martial arts, gymnastics, ballet, and dancing need specific components to be developed for performance. The design should consider not only the purpose of the clothes, but the purpose of any other accessories worn with the outfit, including accessories for climbing, diving, kicking, and balancing.
One of the most important considerations for the designer of a sports uniform is to ensure that the sportswear does not promote any particular form of unhealthy activity. In most sports, players will be involved in some type of physical activity, so the fabric and other components need to allow sweat to drain, yet allow the skin to breathe. By wearing protective gear and by adhering to sport safety standards, the wearer can ensure that he or she is playing an active sport that promotes fair play. By considering all of these components of the sportswear, a player can ensure that he or she is playing an active sport that promotes fair competition and fair play.