As is often the case, our view of things is influenced by the way we think and the image we construct of reality. Let me give you an easy example: I love running and consider it a very important sport that does not get the right attention from the media. Is this statement true? Partly yes and partly no. Certainly running-and endurance sports, in general-is not given space in the mainstream media; but running is a very important sport, especially for those of us who run. Curling fans may think the same, ditto those who love tennis.
The truth is that every sport is important in its own way. And it is equally true that no sport-perhaps even soccer-receives the proper media attention. The latter focus mainly on what gives profit, readings or clicks; understandably, in some ways.
The spread of sports
For a sport to be played, three ingredients are needed: the culture of the sport, a place to play it, and passion.
The culture of sports starts especially at a young age and must be born in families, in the smallest social settings, and then spread to schools and other places of gathering. We need to know what it means to play sports, what its values are, and know its benefits for both body and mind.
On facilities where we can play sports, there is not much we can do about it, except press the political world to create and make accessible places to play sports. Let me explain: an athletic track is useless if kids cannot go there to run or if they have to be registered with a society to gain access. When you are a child, sports is a game, and if you can’t play, you simply don’t play.
Passion is a different and much more powerful issue than the other two points, in some ways. When you are passionate about something, you overcome obstacles to go along with it. Practicing it, in this case.
And passion comes from knowledge, from stories, from characters, from everything that can create a connection between mind and heart.
Let me ask you a question that is also an example: how many kids got into basketball by watching Michael Jordan?
The same goes for soccer, tennis, cycling, volleyball and every sport that kept us glued to the TV dreaming of becoming like the athletes we were watching.
The sport has disappeared from the media
Now sports are almost no longer accessible in the media. Editorial choices and investments by pay-TVs (including online platforms) have caused it to disappear almost entirely.
That leaves skiing, a few cycling tours, little else; or you have to search, broadcasts on web channels (even RAI) or, alternatively, pay handsomely for the chance to see something. But, if you pay, then you are already passionate.
In a time long ago, sports on public TV networks had a strong presence. RAI2 and RAI3 broadcast Golden League, tennis, volleyball, basketball. Now what?
Now there is RAI SPORT (DDT channel 58) on which the new director’s latest editorial choices have also put out Franco Bragagna’s historic voice from the World Indoor Track and Field Championships under the cry of “space for young people!” Editorial choices with which one may agree or disagree but which must nevertheless be respected. And then, by the way, you’re on channel 58, in the remote control oblivion. Sport is confined there: like when you put something in a drawer just because it “looks bad” throw it away immediately.
Soccer itself has changed its approach: less driven by stories, technique, and athletic gesture and much more oriented toward feeding and satisfying fans. But this is a different discussion.
I mean, how can we expect to create passion about things that we don’t know and are not part of our lives?
Unfortunately, I am wrong, I know: to think that the media has an educational and constructive role in the current scenario is more of a utopia than a proposition. But just think how great it would be to see fencing, swimming, running, triathlon, cycling, all in one big two-hour primetime package on the major public networks! And then in-depth afternoon shows instead of talent or reality shows, and, whatever, now we are even beyond utopia.
However, at least thinking about it, I like it very much.
(Main image credits: EdZbarzhyvetsky on DepositPhotos.com)