Sport in the Great War

As of the late 19th century, press specialising in sport developed and reported on the feats of champions whom were greatly admired by the general public. With the interruption of competition during the First World War, and the loss of many sports champions on the battlefield, the immediate effect of the war was to stop, or at least, slow down the development of sport. 

Yet, throughout this terrible conflict, adaptation to new combat techniques, associated with the cultural mixity brought through the resulting globalisation, nevertheless offered sport a new lease of life. A major turning point was in the making, seeing sporting disciplines diversified and democratised, and paving the way to modern sport.