The History of Italian Sports

1834 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Renaissance history of sports

The History of Italian Sports

Sports help people relax and have fun. In Italy it is very evident that the people are hard workers, but they still do love to play! The Italians are very fond of many sports. They are very enthusiastic about many of the same sports as we are in the United States. The sports that Italians are most fanatic about in every day life are soccer, tennis, swimming, boxing, rowing, boating, golf, and basketball. (DiFranco, 103). Some of these sports are new to the Italians, however, they are catching on quite quickly and starting to be played at higher levels of competition. The Italians' range of levels go from the Olympic games, to a high level of league play, all the way down to recreational sports. Some of the Olympic games they enjoy are skiing, fencing, tennis, cycling, boxing, track and many others. (DiFranco, 103).

Italy has already sent numerous fine athletes to the Olympics many times. They usually win in fencing, skiing, bobsledding, and tennis. (DiFranco, 103). In the Olympics held in Rome in 1960, the Italians had a fantastic showing. They took home 13 gold metals, 10 silver, and 13 bronze. These metals were all taken in either track, boxing, fencing, cycling, or gymnastics. (Wallechinsky, 65-67). In the 1964 Olympics Italy won 10 gold metals, 10 silver, and 7 bronze. These metals were won in either shooting, judo, wrestling, boxing, swimming, or track. (Wallechinsky, 269-273). In the 1980's Italy showed another outstanding performance in these sports again. They took home 8 gold metals, 3 silver, and 4 bronze metals. (Wallechinsky, 292-296). The last Olympics the Italians showed very well in was the 1984 Olympics. The Italians won 14 gold medals, 6 silver, and...

... middle of paper ...

...

Bibliography:

Citations

DiFranco, Anthony. Italy: Balanced on the Edge of Time. Minnesota: Dillon

Press, Inc., 1983.

Facaros, Dana. Florence: Siena Pisa Lucca. Connecticut: Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls, 1994.

Fodor's. Italy: The Complete Guide with the Best of the Art Treasures, Hill Towns, and Food and Wine. New York: Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc., 1994.

Stein, R. Conard. Enchantment of the World Italy. Chicago: Regensteiner Publishing Enterprises, Inc., 1984.

Travis, David. The Land and People of Italy. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992.

Wallechinsky, David. The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics. Boston: Little Brown & Co., 1996.

Internet Sites:

"Facts About Australia." http://global.australia.com/pl/atc?US1964707:5002:13110 (17 May 2000).

Show More
Related

  • Olympic Games Dbq

    958 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since 776 BCE, the Olympics have been a way for people of different cultures to come together and compete in friendly competition. In 1892 the first modern Olympics were held in Athens, although it had been over a thousand years since the last game it still had brought together an assortment of different religions and ethnic groups together. Many factors shaping the Olympic Games reflect the changes that have taken place in our world since the last game in 393 CE in Greece such changes include woman’s suffrage, global economy, world wars, and proving competency.

    Read More

  • Lou Gehrig the Hero

    722 Words  | 2 Pages

    (The Grolier Library of North American Biographies. Athletes ed. Vol. 2. Danbury, CT: Grolier Educational, 1994. Pg 86-88. Print. North American Biographies.)

    Read More

  • Italy in the Twentieth Century

    590 Words  | 2 Pages

    Only thirty years after the Piedmontese army marched into Rome to unite Italy under one government, the country suddenly found itself on the brink of the twentieth century and a rapidly changing world. The twentieth century would mark the beginning of great changes throughout Europe, and Italy would not be left untouched. What set the stage for these changes, though, were the years just prior to, and directly after 1900.

    Read More

  • The Moscow 1980 Olympics Boycott

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hill, Christopher R. "The Cold War and the Olympic Movement." History Today. History Today, 1999. Web. 18 May 2014. .

    Read More

  • Nazi Olympics

    2693 Words  | 6 Pages

    Kindersly, Dorling. The Olympic Games: Athens 1896-Sydney 2000 Chronicle of the Games, 1 July 2000

    Read More

  • Opiate Of The Masses Analysis

    920 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sport is the new Opiate of the Masses it behaves in the same way religion does as it is used as a deterrent from our everyday lives. Religion main function is to preserve the status quo, which means that it serves the “haves” and keeps the “have-nots” down in their place. Sport may be very different from

    Read More

  • sports

    1431 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sports is the center of American culture. In many families, sports is their entertainment. They use sports to show their happiness, anger and physical ability. The United States is known for their sports culture. They have many national sports such as NFL (National Football League) and the NBA (National Basketball Association). People in the United States often choose their favorite teams and become very competitive when their team is playing. At a young age many girls and boys join sports which is where they become competitive, and also where they realize if they like playing sports or not. Once many teenagers get into high school sports become important to them because it is a gateway into getting into college and getting that quick way to reach their American Dream in possibly becoming a famous athlete. Although not all Americans play, watch, or like sports they still know what sports are and there is more Americans who play watch and like sports than people who do not. Sports will always be the center of American culture because Americans love to be competitive and aware of what is going on in their world.

    Read More

  • Heartbeat of a City: The Influence of Soccer in Rome

    3202 Words  | 7 Pages

    The first time I went to Italy the taxi driver that picked my parents and I up at Rome’s Fiumicino airport had his radio turned to a station playing a Serie A soccer match between two Italian powerhouse teams, AS Roma and Turin’s Juventus FC. At first I just assumed the low-level, even sound of the announcers voice was merely a talk radio show, but as I heard the excitement in his voice build as each team became closer to scoring, and the background sounds of the crowds chanting and singing for their teams I began to understand the phenomenon that calico, the Italian word for soccer, was in Italy. Literally the heartbeat of a nation whose history has been tumultuous to say the least, soccer has been a mainstay in Italian culture for generations.

    Read More

  • The Modern Olympics: The Traditions Of The Modern Games

    782 Words  | 2 Pages

    Modern Day Olympics are a huge tradition that sweeps the screens of televisions across the world. Competitors take the arena with uniforms that dawn their countries colors and designs that are meant to resemble their designated flag. For months the news is centered around the games; the preparation, the athletes, and of course the competition. Countries aren 't obsessed, they are inspired and full of pride seeing athletes from their country compete and show their incredible skill. This tradition dates back to ancient Greece where the games began. Tony Perrottet writes about the traditions of the ancient game in his book The Naked Olympics.

    Read More

  • Italian Culture

    929 Words  | 2 Pages

    There’s a lot more to being Italian than the typical stereotypes that we have come to know from movies, television and books. From the Catholic mobsters who kill during the week but always make it to mass on Sunday, to the “how you doin” views of Joey from the television show “Friends”, people often forget the more important parts of being Italian. It is a culture like no other, full of history, art, and most importantly, their passion for food. Italian food, in my opinion, is the best in the world. Italians put so much into everything they make that the time and effort is tasted with every single bite. One of my favorite dishes would have to be fettuccini alfredo and it just happens to be a fairly easy, but extremely delicious, dish to make. Trust me, if I can make it, you can make it.

    Read More

  • How Did Ancient Greece Influenced Modern Sports

    502 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Ancient Olympics were huge in introducing sports and events that we now play. The sports that were played in the Ancient Olympics consisted of boxing, chariot racing, riding, pentathlon, discus, javelin, jump, running, and wrestling. All those sport would have never been played without the Greeks introducing them. These sports have become very popular and a lot of people play them. For example wrestling can be played at very young ages and all the way through high school. Another example is running, jumping, javelin, and discus which are all played in high school and some even in elementary.

    Read More

  • Sports of the Renaissance

    1175 Words  | 3 Pages

    Grendler, Paul . "Sports." Encyclopedia of the Renaissance . 6. New York, New York : Charles Scribner's Sons, 1999. Print.

    Read More

  • Italian Culture

    674 Words  | 2 Pages

    Michael Murano is a 11 year old who’s ancestry stretches back the year 1540 to Alfonso and Russiano Murano who lived in Salerno Italy. Salerno Italy is located in the south-western part of Italy off the cost of the gulf of Salerno in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The Renaissance is popularly called the re-birth of art in Europe and was so with many different types of art including dance, theater, and art.

    Read More

  • Italian Food Research Paper

    609 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the words of Giuseppe Verdi, “You may have the universe if I may have Italy” (Brainyquote.com). Italy is one of the top hotspots for vacation, and there is a plethora of reasons why. Immediately upon arriving, you can smell the aroma of fresh, home-made foods. The beauty of the architecture in even the average buildings is overwhelming. The culture is unique and fascinating; unlike anything you will ever see anywhere else. There are so many places you could visit in Italy, you could spend a lifetime there, and it would never be enough. Rome, Tuscany, Pompeii, Pisa, Florence, and Venice are must-sees, to name just a handful. (http://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com) Italy is in essence, a paradise unlike any other, that everyone should have the privilege of enjoying. (pathos)

    Read More

  • Culture Clash

    1056 Words  | 3 Pages

    Italian culture has a rich history that includes art, classic architecture, music, popular traditions and customs. Many people who visit Italy are somewhat surprised by the diversity of the dialects, cuisines, architecture, and craftsmanship.

    Read More

More about The History of Italian Sports

Open Document