AESTHETICS APPLIES TO SPORTS AS WELL AS TO THE ARTS.

The article explores the aesthetics of sports, and compares sporting events to music and performing arts. The beauty of gymnastics is discussed, including concepts of balance, strength, agility, proportion, and tempo. Emotional and sympathetic responses of the sporting audience are observed. The ends of professionalism, such as success, winning, fortune, accomplishment, is contrasted to genuine sport, which is sufficient to its own ends, and serves as its own reward. The drama of the sport event is discussed, including tragedy.