Abstract
In England, the Industrial Revoluition and subsequent urbanization gave rise to later dominant position of sport in society .Popular recreation movement coupled with various forms of amusement apperd in lower as well as among upper classes. The first athletic clubs were founded.
Sport was practiced as a means of nurturing gentlemany behaviour, but also means of earning money. Educational reforms integrated sport into curricula.
Public schools and universities actively practiced and developed sport. Even in its beginnings, modern sport became a significant subject for the gambling and leisure industry.
The example of Olympic Games illustrates the diffusion of sport throughout the world and its unificatio under the same forms, values, rules, and organization.