A Comparative Study of Sport in London - Essay Example

? A comparative study of sport in London using the London Metro Newspaper and the Museum of London on London and the Olympics Sporting activities in London have increasingly been impressed by many people. Following how significant these activities have become, it quite clear that sports have contributed immensely towards each year’s Britain’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Arguably, by 1900s, there were already notable established sport spectators, alongside key events. As of present, sporting activities are no longer limited to Britain alone. They have taken root into the neighbouring countries, as well as the far reaching countries. No one can quantify with accuracy how much these activities contribute positively to economies of various countries. However, one thing that cannot be dispensed is that sporting activities have limitless accrued benefits to individuals, as well to the economies of many countries. For the case of Britain, games that have been outstanding include the Cambridge and Oxford race boat sporting activities often conducted in match each year on the Thames and the the horse-day derby race at Epsom conducted in April and the championship of Lawn Tennis that are commonly played in July. The interesting popular premier league that often run year round also part of sporting activities that are worth appreciating. With the technological advancements, popularity of such sporting activities has been guaranteed following the wide spread flat screen television set (Jonhnson, 2007). Certainly, during this twentieth century, there has been a three-sixty degrees turn from the tradition of the gentleman amateur, which had covered the entire Victorian sport into professionalism that is quite evident everywhere. However, it should be noted that there are variations in the way different sporting activities are appreciated. For instance, at the onset of the twentieth century, the leading sporting activity was the cricket, which was popularly organised on the basis of counties. In the context of London, this was interpreted as the County Cricket club County (Citron, 2003). Since these sporting activities were established, the tentative span of sports in London has always been observed. However, unlike other areas of economy, there is evident of some discrepancies in the management of sports within London. How these discrepancies are dealt with is beyond the scope of this discussion. One thing to content with is that there should be a way that provides a clear understanding of how the sporting activities in London are conducted. This, thus, implies that in order to find amicable solutions to the emerging issues in sports, there is need to study the operations of the sporting activities in London. It is worth noting that there are varied qualitative and quantitative approaches that could be used in highlighting the aspects of sports in London (Mandell, 2010). With a focus on London, this paper assesses two different sources which could be of use in researching sports in London that perhaps might give a glimpse of qualitative and quantitative approaches that could be used in highlighting the aspects of sports in London. The paper evaluates the ability and limitations of the two sources in so far as researching sports in London is concerned. London Metro newspaper is one search source. This newspaper was chosen basing on importance of its content that closely correlates with the subject of the discussion. The content of the Newspaper gives the general map of sports in London. This source is just but a collection of articles majorly centred on sport and sporting activities in London. One outstanding thing about this source is that it contains not only the latest stories on the ongoing premier league by also the latest updates on the London Olympics. This newspaper clearly reflects upon the significant London’s diversity through memories, opinions, and voices of the Londoners. The Museum of London on London and the Olympics is another source that is of significant use to the subject of this paper. This source clearly mirrors the Paralympic, as well as the Olympic games in London. The pivotal element of this source is a reflection of the Olympic Games heritage within a revised context. The source approaches games from two perspectives that is a global and local perspective. As a vital source for this paper, the Museum of London on London and the Olympics highlights not only the Londoners experience but also the experience of the visiting athletes such as the team of Peruvian in 1948. While comparing and contrasting the two sources, this paper evaluates the relative usefulness of the sources as a researching tool. In respect to this case, questions that set the pace for assessment of these sources include: I. What is the objective of each source? II. How does each source present its findings? III. How does each source help in studying and research sport? IV. What are the weaknesses and the strengths of the two sources? In consideration of this review, the initial two sections of the paper would focus on evaluating the two sources. The paper would be concluded by investigating the combined results of the two sources in regard to how detailed either of the sources is, as far as sporting activities in London are concerned. Moreover, how either of the sources provides suggestions concerning the changes in sports basing on its methodological approach would be of prime importance. In regard to the London Metro Newspaper, historically, the newspaper was founded in 1999 (Searl, 2012. Since then the newspaper has for years been known to be published by the Newspapers Associated Ltd, which then distributes it periodically with exclusion of bank holidays. The Public transport in London has always served as a channel for distributing the Newspaper and it is produced in editions often localised for Londoners. As a vital source, the newspaper is designed to be used by individuals on the commute. Much of its content are news that is bite-size instead of bulky World news which may appear in other related newspapers. A section of paper contains article mix on different topics like sports and sporting activities. One thing to note as far as this newspaper is concerned, is that it provides an extensive and accurate news concerning sports in London. One such particular case pertains to where the newspaper highlights articles on sporting activities such as athletics, football, cycling, and gymnastics. Selected as a source, the London Metro newspaper is an important qualitative research source, as well. It is specifically aimed at bringing sport news to the Londoners. The contents of news is characterized by what it reflects, which often reflect upon each and every aspect of a certain sport. For instance, football features at considerable length in this newspaper. In the sport section, there are about ten news articles that have been written with intentions of informing the landowners about the updates of the ongoing premier league. These articles cultivate various factors, which could be, behind sports, looking at not only the participation of individual but also the manner in which people invest in the sports. The most significant article for instance, is the article that featured in the sport section of this newspaper with a title ‘London should have world champions in swimming after the success of Olympic’ (Springsteen, 2012). This article is a presentation of views from the world swimming head in London. This clearly points to the fact that, one of the challenges of sports like swimming in London is that there has never been championship for this sport. Moreover, the article argues that London had booked to host the European championships in 2016 at the Aquatic Olympic centre, and the part would be hosting athletes and hockey competitions. The author of this article seems to be voicing out his views concerning the issues in sports within London. The Newspaper, therefore, is an avenue for Londoners to voice out their point of views concerning sports and other factors in their countries. These views are extremely crucial for a sport study. This implies that through the many articles on sport and sporting activities in London, a researcher is able to get an overview of the condition of sport in London. As if not enough, the news article in this newspaper which is of interest, as well is an article by the title ‘London 2012 Makers games honoured with stamps for Olympic contribution’ (Searl, 2012). This article highlights the fact that the 2012 game makers were honoured due to their contribution towards the Olympics. In essence, the article implies that the stakeholders in London sports are always rewarded as means of motivation. This article provides proof that the London Metro newspaper is one of the vital tools in studying sports within London. Evidently, this newspaper’s key objective has always been to give out information to researchers regarding sensitive aspects in the country, which in this case, are sports. The key strength of the London Metro Newspaper is the manner in which the news and findings are displayed, specifically in regards to sports where the participation of Londoners in sports is evident, and bands of classification are articulated and denoted clearly (Magee, 2003). Apart from this, if one was to pry into searching for different areas of sport on the site the experience would prove to be extremely easy due to the organization of the site that has highlighted collections (Duff, 2004). The existence of the search engine useful in searching for the specific sport makes the utility of the site quite entertaining. The newspaper also is also clear and gives room for original correspondences and papers which gives out insight towards the basic research made. The newspaper gives room for quick and easy cross-comparison between different news, in which case, it arranges the different news on sport under a large heading and establishing hyperlinks for the avoidance of navigation. The key weakness of this source, however, is that it deals with the research objectivity that is conducted by different authors in the newspaper. From the study of the news articles, it is evident that sports in London are a national concern. The assumptions and purpose that the authors of the newspaper articles could have carried to their research could have affected the studies’ subjectivity (Duff, 2004). Additionally, the newspaper news and the article does not give out clear explanation regarding the methods (Hess, 2002). The inclusion of primary factors assists the researchers to identify the news, but the real source is normally difficult to be deciphered and fails to be consistent in different surveyors. Another weakness is that the varying approach used by various authors of the news is one limitation of this source. On the other hand, the Museum of London on London and the Olympics is one example of a research that is quantitative research. The online page compiles a written quantitative analysis of sports in London. In this source, an article with a title ‘ Ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic and Olympic London museum reflects on the heritage of Olympic games’, gives out highlights concerning sports in London (Museum of London, 2002). From this source, London has obtained popularity in the sports especially football within the twentieth century. Huge activities of sporting have been hosted by the city such as the third modern Olympics in the year 1908 and the year 1948. However, none of the activities brought impact that is lasting in London (Cotten, 2002). This source also explains that many activities of sports have had durations of fall and rise, by the association with specific social groups and relying on the participation cost. For instance, boxing in London had been an East end sport from a working class and tennis was a sport for middle class. Golf, on the other hand, was an exclusive and aspiration suburb sport in 1900s (Keeton, 2007). The objective of this source was to form a quantitative study and facilitate the understanding of the actual activities of sport in London. In this respect, the source emphasises the lives, expectations, and people’s diversities. The source addresses sports in London giving room for research in other fields. The massive spectrum of experimental data provides a chance for gaining an insight towards the dynamic sport, how different individuals experience, cope, and participate in it (Healey, 2005). The source structure explores the different types of sports and its effect towards the Londoners. From this source, it is evident that London has been hosting a number of sporting activities. It is also evident that some sports in London are associated with certain social class of individuals in the society. This source, therefore, gives out a reflection of sport and sporting activities within London. “In 1948, a team of 41 individuals was sent by Peru to London. The team competed in seven sporting activities such as free pistol shooting in which Edwin Vasquez was the winner of the gold medal. In 1948, the team of Peruvian, included William Ahrens, a player of basket ball, Enrique Raig, an athlete, and Luis Poggi a cyclist” (Museum of London, 2002). This statement is an extract from London and the Olympics. The extract is clear evidence that London was hosting sporting activities involving participants from other regions. The rest of the source establishes a picture concerning the actual sporting activities (Eassom, 2004). Comparing this source with the later, this source presents views from one author, whereas the newspaper presents views from a number of authors. In this respect, the analysis of data from this source is less accurate than that of the London Metro newspaper (Clarke, 2000). Apart from this, information from one author could be biased hence not reliable compared to information from various authors. The Museum of London on London and Olympics is a source that mirrors the behaviour of London in regards to sports. However, having one author presents a questionable study or views to the researcher. The strength of the Museum of London on London and Olympics is the manner in which the information and arguments are displayed, specifically in regards to sports where the participation of Londoners in sports is evident, and bands of classification are articulated and denoted clearly (Drago, 2002). This article presents a diversity of issues in sport. Factors such as social class, ethnicity, asylum, political ethnicity, and other factors behind sports, are identified. Apart from this, looking and searching for different areas of sport on the site is extremely easy due to the organization of the site that has highlighted collections. The source also gives room for original correspondences and papers which gives out insight towards the basic research made. The weakness of this source deals with the research objectivity that is conducted by one author of the source. In many situations, a study from one author would always present the authors personal views and not the actual study. In this respect, the study may be biased to a certain level. From the study of the source, it is evident that sports in London are a national concern. The assumptions and purpose that the author of the source could have carried to their research could have affected the studies’ subjectivity (Fast, 2004). Additionally, the article does not give out clear explanation regarding the methods of collecting data. The study does not present views and opinions from other Londoners. The inclusion of primary factors assists the researchers to identify the issues in sports but the real source is hard to be deciphered and fails to be consistent in different surveyors (Bernardi, 2009). The source has no search engine which makes it difficult to be used in research of specific topics thus the utility of the site in research may be quite frustrating. Through the combination of the two sources, the evaluation of sports in London can easily be identified. It is evidenced that sports in London is a national concern and that most Londoner treasure sporting activities. Issues in sporting activity like the discrimination of some social class are also raised from the two sources (Fast, 2004). In this regard, there is a need for more research on sports in London than whatever is done in this study. Increased research would help to create solutions into the challenges in London sports. In this case, studies like those of the Museum of London on London and Olympics, are required to give a compilation of data that are quantitative which could be used in making statistics (Aghainia, 2009). A shift from quantitative to qualitative analysis has been observed in the two sources. Since rich information was generated from the two sources, the new approach towards sports could be revealed rather than holding onto the old sporting activities in the confines of a certain region. This means that combining the two sources would lead to the most thorough evaluation. References. Aghainia, H., 2009. Fundamentals of Sport Law: Civil Liability In Sport. Tehran: Dadgostar Publisher. Bernardi, R., 2009. Leisure, Sport, and Assumption of Risk. New York: Oxford Publishers. Citron, J., 2003. Civil Liability in the Arena of Professional Sports. New York: Jack and Sons puplishers Cotten, M., 2002. Legal Aspects of Waivers in Sport: Recreation and Fitness Activities. London: PRC Publishing Inc. Clarke, C., 2000. Application of Criminal Liability for Intentional Fouls During Sporting Events. Law Journal, 1151. Drago, A., 2005. Assumption of Risk in the Arena, on the Fields and in the Moshs Pits: What Protections Does it give. Entertainment and Sports Lawyer, 13, 3-8. Drago, A., 2002. Assumption of Risk: An Age-old Defense Still Viable in Sports & Recreation Cases. FordhamIntellectual Property, Media & Entertainment Law Journal, 3, 12(2), 582-608. Duff, A., 2004. Civil Actions and Sporting Injuries Sustained by Professional Footballers. Scotts Law Times, 177. Eassom, S., 2004. Critical Reflection on Olympics Ideologies. Ontario: The Centre for Olympic Studies. Fast, K., 2004. Sport liability laws a guide for amateur sports organizations and their insurers. London: Dolden Wallace, inc. Healey, D.,2005. Sport And The Law, 3rd ed. Wales: University of New South Wales Press Ltd. Hess, L., 2002. Sports And The Assumption of Risk Doctrine in London St. John’s Law Review, 76, 457-781. Jonhnson, M., 2007. Legal Liability for Cheerleading Injuries: Implications for Universities and Coaches. Journal of Legal Aspect of Sport, 17, 213-252. Keeton, W., 2007. Torts: cases and materials. 2nd ed. London: West Publishing Co. Magee, S., 2003. Ways of Being a Terrific Sport Parent. New York: Oxford publishers. Mandell, J., 2010. Primary Assumption of the Risk: Still Viable Defence, With Limitations. New York LawJournal, 244, 85. Museum of London., 2002. London and the Olympics. Retrieved 7th November 2012. Searl, G., 2012. London 2012 Game Makers Honoured with stamps for Olympic contribution. In The London Metro Newspaper. Retieved 7th November 2012. Spengler, J., 2003. A Quantitative Approach to Assessing Legal Outcomes in Reported Sport and Recreation Negligence Cases Involving Assumption of Risk. Entertainment Law, 2, 112-129. Springsteen, B., 2012. London should have world swimming championships after Olympic success. In the London Metro Newspaper. Retrieved 7th November 2012. Read More