Sport

[Kieranbob]

Hey all

Was wondering what kind of role (if any) sport would have in a true Socialist/Communist state.

obviously sport was quite important in soviet russia but that wasnt exactly a great example and just had the effect of boosting Nationalism.

Looking at China and with the olympics coming up there sport is a major propaganda tool as well.

would be good to hear from the anarchists as well.

thanks

[Fawkes]

I don't see why sports would be any different than they are now.

[Kropotkin Has a Posse]

If people want to play and have fun, all the more power to them. The problem is when it becomes a business, a commodity, or as you say, a propaganda tool. It gives people the idea that all fun they have has to be profitable for someone else.

[Janus]

I don't see why sports would be any different than they are now.
In terms of the physical practice, yes little would change but I would think that the organization of sporting events would definitely change particularly those that are exclusively for the viewer's entertainment. In capitalism, sports are a career choice but in communism, I would think that they would be more of a hobby once the profit drive has been eliminated.

[Janus]

Here are some previous threads on this topic.

http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/lofiversi...p/t31737-0.html (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/lofiversion/index.php/t31737-0.html)
http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php...ter&f=6&t=49984 (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?act=Print&client=printer&f=6&t=49984)
http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/lofiversi.../t31737-60.html (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/lofiversion/index.php/t31737-60.html)
Communism and entertainment (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?showtopic=55381&st=0&#entry1292157397)
Communism and entertainment (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/index.php?showtopic=48415&st=0&#entry1292048565)
http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/lofiversi...php/t20216.html (http://www.revolutionaryleft.com/lofiversion/index.php/t20216.html)

[Fawkes]

Other than the fact that there are team owners and that players get paid the extremely large amounts that they do, I can't think of anything else that would change in a post-revolution society.

[RedArmyFaction]

the soviets used sports to show the world how superior communism was.

[ElvisTrout]

But then copying late Soviet Russia is never a good idea :P

[which doctor]

Here's my personal comment.

I think intramural sports would become much more common place but there would still be leagues for the very talented, they just wouldn't be as popular as they are now. There would be less idol worship of sports. I don't wanna sit around and watch sports, I want to get out there and play them!

[Sir Aunty Christ]

Why do some people get the idea into their heads that communists would ban fun?