ABSTRACT
The body and the ways in which it is perceived are central in all sport. Athletes use their bodies in training and competitions; they sweat, stretch, build muscles, and practice coordination. The media use pictures of bodies in presenting sport, and sports-practicing bodies are shown in advertisements for everything from underwear to beer. Bodies are displayed, categorized and separated in sporting activities. In most sports men and women compete in separate events, age groups are kept apart and, until recently, skin color was also an important distinguishing criterion. Bodies are labelled as able or disabled, and physical functionality is used as a classifying measurement in sport.
