Landscapes of modern sport (1994)

Nature and culture are embodied in the landscapes of modern sport. This is the first book to explore the distinctive character of those landscapes. Not only does sport play a central role as a modern cultural phenomenon, the landscapes in which sport takes place have a distinctive and pervasive form which impact considerably on quality of life, in both positive and negative ways. The landscapes of modern sports are, in many ways, landscapes of modernity; they are artificial and contained. They have developed from pre-existing landscapes and may be starting to develop post-modern forms. Using text, maps, diagrams and photographs ‘The Landscape of Sport’ considers the ‘natural’ landscape antecedents of modern sport, as well as the impact of geometry and artifice on present day studies and other theatres of spectator and participant sport. John Bale analyses the effects of the processes of commodification and myth formation, before concluding with a consideration of the nature of sport futurescapes. The Landscape of Sport includes examples drawn from skating, skiing, track and field athletics, football, baseball, cricket and many other sporting forms. It will appeal to students, academics and professionals, particularly those with an interest in human geography, sports science, recreation management, architecture and cultural studies.