The past few months have changed the way I view sports and their role in our lives. Previously, I was liked going to football matches, especially with friends or family members. However, the global pandemic put restrictions on these activities, and I had to revert to spending time at home and watching sports in my living room. This experience changes my view of sports as a primal element of life. Sports are no longer essential for people, and this trend will continue even after the government lifts the restrictions.
Watching the match live is no longer an option considering the danger of contracting COVID-19. In the “Sports’ Post-Pandemic Reckoning,” Martinez (2020) shares his experience of watching a soccer match that felt like “watching the last soccer match on earth” because there were no viewers (para. 1). Moreover, he compares the changes that the sports industry and viewers will have to accept to post-war Europe, where some elements of the pre-war era were gone forever. Indeed, I think that the existing restrictions allowed many to reevaluate the way they view sports matches and experience something different — watching these matches at home.
Another point the author criticizes is the global expansion of sports led by immense commercialization. The industry is already experiencing a decline, which means that “enlightened internationalism” will be abandoned, and the survival of sports teams will become the main focus (Martinez, 2020, para. 14). As a result, the industry may change and adapt for the better, and more appreciation from fans will follow. Overall, the pandemic has changed the way I view sports and their meaning in people’s lives, and I no longer view sports as primal for people.
References
Martinez, A. (2020). Sport’s post-pandemic reckoning. Web.