"I jump into a sand pit for a living"
Paul at the Races
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Paula Fredriksen, Bible Review 2002, 18 (3) 12, 42
The argument is that ancient sport always had a religious dimension. Thus when modern people say sport is becoming a religion, Paula Fredriksen replies that it always was.
“Ancient Mediterranean civic culture was a type of religious worship, Activities that we tend to think of as ‘secular’ – attending the theater, watching races, convening a city council or giving testimony in a court of law - were all part of the worship of the traditional gods…Competition in these [athletic] events itself constituted worship, since the games were an offering dedicated to the games”.
A short article but some some useful background .